How To Put On Hearing Aids: A Clinical Guide To Correct Placement And Daily Insertion
Properly inserting hearing aids requires aligning the device's anatomical curves with your ear structure while managing the microphone orientation and dome or earmold seal. Mastering this physical daily routine eliminates acoustic feedback, prevents physical discomfort, and ensures optimal sound propagation through the ear canal.
Pre-Insertion Preparation & Hygiene Checklist
Before handling your hearing aids, proper preparation prevents physical contamination of the delicate acoustic components and ensures the device functions at peak Electroacoustic performance.
- Essential Gear and Tools: Your hearing aids, fresh zinc-air or lithium-ion batteries (or a fully charged desktop charging station), a multi-function cleaning brush, a wax pick, a soft micro-fiber cloth, and a dry storage dehumidifier or UV-C sanitizer box.
- Prerequisite Knowledge and Standards: Familiarize yourself with the color-coding standards used globally in audiology: red indicators always signify the right ear device, while blue indicators denote the left ear device. Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed, dried, and free of oils, lotions, or hand sanitizers that can clog microphone ports or degrade soft silicone domes.
- Time and Environmental Benchmarks: Allocate two minutes per morning for inspection and insertion. Perform this procedure seated at a stable table with a soft towel laid out underneath to catch the device if dropped, preventing impact fractures to the outer shell or receiver casing.
Step-by-Step Hearing Aid Insertion Workflow
Step 1: Identify Left from Right and Inspect Components
- Examine the color-coding indicators on the housing, battery door, or inner casing of each hearing aid to verify side orientation (Red equals Right, Blue equals Left).
- Inspect the silicone dome, custom earmold, or receiver tip for accumulated cerumen (earwax), moisture, or debris using a magnifying glass if necessary.
- Gently brush away any visible particulate matter from the microphone ports and the sound outlet to ensure unobstructed acoustic pathways.
Warning: Never attempt to insert a hearing aid with a heavily blocked wax filter or a visibly torn silicone dome, as this creates acoustic feedback and potential ear canal irritation.
Step 2: Prepare the Device and Open the Ear Canal
- If using disposable zinc-air batteries, ensure the pull-tab has been removed for at least one minute to allow air activation before closing the battery door.
- Hold the hearing aid between your thumb and index finger, orienting the main body (or Behind-The-Ear housing) so the curve of the device matches the natural anatomical contour of the top of your ear.
- With your free hand, reach over your head or pull gently backward and upward on the outer ear (pinna) to straighten and widen the cartilaginous ear canal for easier entry.
Pro-Tip: Gently tugging the outer ear straight back opens the canal diameter by up to 20 percent, drastically reducing friction during deep-canal insertions.
Step 3: Insert the Shell, Earmold, or Dome
- Guide the tip of the dome, custom earmold, or receiver wire into the opening of the ear canal while maintaining the backward pull on your pinna.
- Push the tip gently inward, following the natural downward and forward angle of your ear canal until the main body of the aid rests comfortably in the concha or bowl of your ear.
- For Behind-The-Ear (BTE) models, lift the body of the device up and over the top of your pinna, allowing it to rest securely against the side of your head behind the outer ear.
Step 4: Secure the Retention Lock and Verify Fit
- If your device features a flexible retention tail or sports lock (a thin plastic filament extending from the dome), tuck this tail securely into the lower bowl (cavity) of your concha.
- Run your finger along the back of your ear to ensure the tubing or receiver wire lies flush against the side of your head without lifting away or sticking out at an awkward angle.
- Perform a quick physical check by lightly wiggling your jaw or smiling; the hearing aid should remain firmly anchored without shifting position or causing localized pinch points.
How to Put on Your Hearing Aids | Abt Videos
Hearing Aid Styles and Insertion Characteristics
| Hearing Aid Style | Primary Insertion Mechanism | Retention Method | Typical User Demographic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) | Slide body over ear, push wire tip into canal | Silicone dome or custom mold + retention tail | Mild-to-severe hearing loss, all ages |
| Behind-The-Ear (BTE) | Hook body over top of ear, push earmold into canal | Custom acrylic/silicone earmold | Severe-to-profound hearing loss |
| Completely-in-Canal (CIC) | Grasp removal handle, push directly into canal | Deep friction fit within bony ear canal | Mild-to-moderate hearing loss, dexterity-abled |
| In-The-Ear (ITE) | Rotate shell inward to match concha contours | Full shell custom-molded to ear anatomy | Moderate-to-severe hearing loss, easy handling |
Common Insertion Failures and Field Fixes
- Root Cause: Persistent high-pitched squealing or whistling immediately after insertion.
- Actionable Fix: The hearing aid is improperly seated or the dome is not pushed far enough into the ear canal. Remove the device, inspect the canal, and re-insert while pulling the ear back to achieve a deeper, airtight seal.
- Root Cause: Physical soreness or bruising along the top of the ear or inside the canal wall.
- Actionable Fix: The housing or wire is being forced against the anatomy at an incorrect angle, or the custom earmold requires a clinical adjustment by your audiologist to grind down a pressure point.
- Root Cause: The device shifts out of place or slips out of the canal during jaw movement (chewing or talking).
- Actionable Fix: The silicone dome size is too small for your canal diameter, or the retention lock is untucked. Switch to the next size larger dome or firmly tuck the retention tail into the concha bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my hearing aid is fully inserted?
A fully inserted hearing aid sits flush against the side of your head and within the bowl of your ear without protruding outward. If you experience whistling or the device feels loose when you talk, it has not been pushed deep enough into the canal or the retention wire is misaligned.
Can I put my hearing aids in while lying down?
It is generally recommended to insert your hearing aids while sitting upright or standing in front of a mirror to maintain proper visual and physical control. Inserting them while lying down can alter the angle of entry, leading to improper seating, feedback, or accidental dropping.
What should I do if my hearing aid hurts when I put it in?
Stop the insertion immediately if you feel sharp pain or excessive physical resistance. For custom molds, pain indicates a pressure spot that requires an adjustment by your hearing care professional; for dome styles, ensure you are not forcing a rigid angle against the canal wall.
Is it normal for my voice to sound hollow after insertion?
Yes, experiencing a hollow or echoing sensation (known as the occlusion effect) is common when you first start wearing hearing aids that seal the ear canal. This sensation typically diminishes within one to two weeks as your brain adapts to amplified low-frequency sounds.
How often should I clean my hearing aids to maintain proper insertion?
You should wipe down the exterior shell, dome, or earmold with a dry microfiber cloth daily after removing them. Additionally, inspect and clean the wax filters and microphone ports weekly to prevent blockages that interfere with sound output and physical fit.
Schedule Your Professional Hearing Evaluation Today
Mastering the daily insertion routine ensures optimal acoustic performance and extends the lifespan of your hearing instruments. Contact our audiological clinic today to schedule a comprehensive fitting, acoustic verification, and personalized insertion coaching session with our licensed specialists.
