The simplest way to stop losing hearing aids is to always store them in the same hard-shell case, in the same spot, every time you take them out. That single habit prevents most losses. But hearing aids also slip out during exercise, get snagged by masks and glasses, get chewed up by pets, or vanish between couch cushions. A combination of consistent storage habits, physical retention accessories, and smartphone tracking features can make losing a hearing aid rare rather than inevitable.
Build a Storage Routine
Most hearing aids go missing inside the home, not out in the world. The fix is boring but effective: pick one place where your hearing aids live when they’re not in your ears, and never deviate. A nightstand drawer, a shelf in the bathroom, a kitchen counter spot. The location matters less than the consistency.
Use a hard-shell case rather than leaving them loose on a surface. A sturdy case protects the devices from falls and, just as importantly, keeps them contained in one visible spot. If you set a hearing aid down “just for a second” on a restaurant table, a gym bench, or a hotel nightstand without a case, you’ve already introduced the highest-risk scenario for loss.
Keep Pets Away From Your Devices
Dogs and cats are drawn to hearing aids because of their small size and the residual scent of earwax. A dog can destroy a hearing aid in seconds. Store your devices in a closed case whenever you take them out, and place that case somewhere genuinely out of reach: a high shelf, a closed cabinet, or a locked nightstand drawer. A small lockbox works if your pet is particularly resourceful.
If your pet has already shown interest in your hearing aids, teaching basic commands like “leave it” can add another layer of protection. But physical barriers are more reliable than training alone.
Use Clips, Lanyards, and Retention Accessories
Retention clips are inexpensive and effective, especially for behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) models. A typical clip attaches to the hearing aid with a small silicone loop, then connects via a lanyard to your collar with an alligator clip. If the hearing aid pops out, it dangles from your shirt instead of hitting the ground or disappearing into grass.
These come in dual-ear versions so both aids stay tethered. Most kits include multiple sizes of silicone loops (commonly 7mm, 9mm, and 11mm) to fit different hearing aid bodies. They cost roughly $8 to $15 for a multi-pack and are widely available online. For active use, sport-specific retention options exist too: breathable headbands with built-in loops that hold the processor against your head during running, cycling, or other high-movement activities. Some brands also sell rubber “retention tails” that hook around the curve of your outer ear for a more secure grip without needing a lanyard at all.
Get a Custom Ear Mold
If your hearing aids use standard silicone domes, those domes are designed to fit a range of ear shapes, not your specific ear. A custom ear mold, made from an impression of your ear canal, locks the device in place far more securely. Custom molds are especially worth considering if your aids slip out during chewing, talking, or jaw movement, or if you find yourself constantly pushing them back in throughout the day. They also reduce acoustic feedback (whistling), which is a side benefit. Your audiologist can order these and they typically take a week or two to arrive.
Use Your Phone to Track Them
Most current-generation hearing aids from major manufacturers pair with a smartphone app that includes a “Find My Hearing Aid” feature. Phonak’s myPhonak app, for example, records the last known location where your hearing aids were connected to your phone. When you open the app and start searching, it provides real-time guidance as you move closer to the devices, helping you pinpoint their location. According to Phonak, 81% of hearing care professionals rate this feature as highly valuable for their patients.
Oticon, Starkey, ReSound, and other major brands offer similar tracking in their own apps. The feature works best indoors where you’ve lost track of which room or surface the aids ended up on. It’s less useful if you lost them outdoors in an unfamiliar area, since it relies on the last Bluetooth connection point. Still, it turns a panicked search into a guided one.
Watch for High-Risk Moments
Certain everyday actions are responsible for a disproportionate number of lost hearing aids. Pulling off a face mask with ear loops is one of the most common culprits: the elastic catches the hearing aid and flings it off. To avoid this, remove masks slowly at home in an open area where a dropped device is easy to spot. Better yet, switch to masks with ties that go behind the head, or use button extensions that keep the elastic off your ears entirely. Pulling long hair back into a bun before removing a mask also reduces the chance of snagging.
Taking off hats, scarves, and over-ear headphones creates the same risk. Sunglasses and regular glasses with thick temples can bump a BTE device loose when you slide them on or off. Build a quick habit of touching your ear after removing anything from your head to confirm the hearing aid is still in place.
Sleeping is another vulnerable time. If you nap with your hearing aids in, they can work loose and end up in bedding. Take them out before any nap or bedtime and put them straight into the case.
Keeping Hearing Aids on Kids
Children, especially infants and toddlers, pull out their hearing aids constantly. Pilot caps are soft fabric hats designed specifically for this problem. They cover the ears and hold the hearing aids in place, and research confirms they don’t interfere with sound quality. A study testing four commonly used pediatric hearing aids under four commercially available pilot caps found no significant difference in acoustic performance compared to wearing the aids without the cap.
For older toddlers and young children, clip-and-lanyard systems pinned to the back of a shirt collar keep pulled-out aids from disappearing into sand, grass, or car seats. Bright-colored retention clips make them easier to spot if they do come loose. Specialty headbands designed for active kids offer a middle ground between pilot caps and clips, holding the processors in place during playground activity without covering the full head.
Understand Your Warranty Coverage
Even with every precaution, losses happen. Most hearing aid manufacturers include loss and damage protection for the first one to three years after purchase. This coverage typically allows a one-time replacement, but you’ll pay a deductible rather than getting a free replacement. The deductible varies by manufacturer and model, so it’s worth asking your audiologist exactly what your warranty covers before you need it.
If your warranty has expired, some third-party insurance plans cover hearing aids, and certain homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies will cover lost personal electronics if you add them to the policy. Keep your hearing aid serial numbers written down or photographed so you can file a claim quickly if needed.