Ask an audiologist: How can I remember to charge my hearing aids?

Many people start to notice hearing problems as they get older. And wearing hearing aids could make a big difference. Whether you’re new to the world of hearing aids or you’ve been wearing these devices for a while now, it’s normal to have some questions. In this series, an expert audiologist at EPIC Hearing gives helpful advice about common concerns.

Question

Sometimes I forget to charge my hearing aids overnight, and then I’m stuck the next morning. How can I make this a regular habit?

Answer

When you wake up in the morning, you want your hearing aids to be fully charged and ready to go. It can definitely throw you off when you forgot to put them in the charger the night before. The key to making this a nightly habit is consistency.

Most devices need to be charged overnight (about 3 to 4 hours) to reach their full capacity. That charge should last you all of the next day for normal usage.

Here are some ways to help make overnight charging part of your nightly routine — and what to do if you forget.

Help keep your hearing healthy

EPIC Hearing Healthcare helps members access hearing exams, hearing aids and more. Sign in to learn more and check eligibility.

Get started

Pick a recharging spot and stick with it. I recommend keeping your hearing aid charger in the same place — somewhere you’ll see it each night as you get ready for bed. This could be on your nightstand or near your medications. Or maybe you put your hearing aid charger in the same spot where you charge your phone, such as a desk or dresser.

Just be consistent. Remove your hearing aids at the same time and in the same place each night and be sure to place them in the charger right away. Don’t leave them loose on a table or by the bathroom sink. Soon this will become part of your routine.

Set a reminder on your phone. Let’s say your normal bedtime is 10 p.m. Try setting a “Charge hearing aids” reminder on your phone that pings at 9:30 p.m. You could also put a sticky note as a reminder on your bathroom mirror or your bedside lamp.

Have a backup plan in case you do forget. What if you wake up in the morning and realize you didn’t charge your devices? Many chargers have a quick-charge feature, where you charge your devices for 30-45 minutes and get a little boost. That can give you enough power to go to an appointment or run errands.

Consider buying a portable charger. An on-the-go charger can be handy if you don't have full battery power in the morning. You don’t have to plug a portable charger into an outlet, and you can carry it in your bag. That means you can recharge your devices in your car, a coffee shop or other place away from home.

Be aware that increased streaming can impact your battery power. Do you tend to  stream long audiobooks or hours of podcasts to your hearing aids? If so, your battery charge may run out sooner than a full day. This is another time when a portable charger can be helpful, especially if you’re traveling.

I’m talking about higher than normal streaming, though. For example, if you’re on a road trip and listening to an audiobook for 6 hours. Or if you’re on a plane or at the airport and you stream several movies.

Wipe down your devices each night. One final charging tip: It’s a good practice to wipe down your hearing aids with a tissue or soft cloth each night before you put them in the charger. This helps keep the contacts clean so your devices make a good connection inside the charger.

(Through EPIC Hearing Healthcare, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost and a trial period to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.)

Meet the expert
Monica Murray, Au.D., is vice president of program development at EPIC Hearing and a nationally recognized hearing health expert.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.