Headphones And Hearing Aids – Can You Wear Both?

One question I get a lot from people who are getting hearing aids for the first time is “Can I wear headphones to listen to music while wearing my hearing aids?”

There's really two (2) parts to this question:

1. Can you physically wear headphones with hearing aids?
2. Will headphones make my hearing loss worse?

The answer is: it depends on your hearing aid AND it depends on your headphones.

Below you will find the three main types of headphones that work well with hearing aids, along with a chart that includes our top picks.

Top Bone Conduction Headphones

Best for: in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC), invisible-in-the-canal (IIC)

Additional tips: If you're interested in bone conduction headphones make sure to read our detailed guide that includes frequently asked questions and more in depth reviews.

Top on-ear Headphones

Best for: completely-in-canal (CIC), invisible-in-canal (IIC).Can also be used for in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC) and open-fit receiver-in-canal (RIC). However,  feedback is more likely to occur with these types of hearing aids.

Additional tips: For ITE hearing aids you may also be able to wear the circum-aural headphones (or headphones that rest completely cover them unlike supra-aural headphones). With ITE hearing aids of all sizes (ITC, CIC), the round opening in the center of the headphones sits right over the hearing aid, allowing the hearing aid to pick up the music through the microphone.

For IIC or extended wear hearing aids (such as the Lyric) it is easier to wear headphones with your hearing aids because the hearing aid is seated deep in the ear canal. You can easily wear on-the-ear headphones with these hearing aids.

Top over-ear Headphones

Best for: in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC), invisible-in-the-canal (IIC).Can also behind-the-ear (BTE), receiver-in-canal (RIC). However,  feedback is more likely to occur with these types of hearing aids.

We just talked about “on-ear headphones,” and now we're talking about “over-ear headphones.” They may sound the same, and many people may even use them interchangeably, but trust us, they are completely different.

For a better understanding, check out the image below which differentiates between the two types. On-ear headphones (or supra-aural, left) sit on the ear, while over-hear headphones (or circum-aural, right) sit over the ear.

Additional Tips: For BTE hearing aids and RIC or RITE hearing aids, it is unlikely that you can wear headphones with your hearing aids unless you carefully position very large over-the-ear headphones like these over your hearing aid. (Note: these over-the-ear headphones are sometimes also referred to as “circumaural headphones”)

The headphones have to completely cover the ear, including the top of the ear where the hearing aid sits.

The positioning of the headphones may be a little different, with the center of the headphone opening up over the top of the hearing aid. This will allow for the hearing aid wearer to pick up the music through the microphone of the hearing aid.

What about earbuds and hearing aids?

I hate to say this, but it's not likely that any style of earbuds are going to work with hearing aids. The issue is quite simply that the hearing aid already sits in your ear or ear canal, so putting another device in there just isn't going to work.

(Note: also read our thoughts below about using your hearing aids as earbuds)

We've officially covered the most common types of hearing aids and which type of headphones works best with them. So, now let's move onto question number two from above.

A few more things you should know about wearing headphones with hearing aids.

A lot of people are going to tell you that you shouldn't wear headphones because they are a primary cause for hearing loss, especially in younger generations. Unfortunately this is only partially true.

Yes, headphones can cause hearing loss. No, they don't have to…if you use them properly.

• If wearing your hearing aids with headphones, be careful to turn the music down, as the music will be amplified.
• If the headphones push on the hearing aid or sit too closely to the hearing aid, you may experience feedback, a whistling noise coming from the hearing aid. This is an indicator that you either need to re-position the headphones or are unable to wear those headphones with your hearing aids.
• Noise cancelling or noise isolating headphones should be your primary choice. The biggest problem with headphones is that people turn the volume up a lot higher than it needs to be primarily because of background noise (i.e. people talking on the bus, loud co-workers, etc.). Noise isolating and noise cancelling headphones help to remove the background noise so you don't crank up the volume to dangerous levels. Regardless, you should always use a simple sound volume meter app that tells you exactly how loud your music really is. You should aim to be lower than 85 dB if you are listening to music for an extended period of time.

The Better Option: Listening to Music with Your Hearing Aids

With the improvement in hearing aid and wireless technology, hearing aids can now BECOME your headphones. There is no longer a need to figure out how to wear headphones over your hearing aids, or take your hearing aids out completely to listen to music with headphones.

We've put together a table of current headphones that may also be classified as hearables thanks to their wireless connectivity.

With wireless hearing aids like the ones above, you can connect your Bluetooth iPod or iPhone directly to your hearing aid with no wires!

This lets you listen to music through your hearing aids, just as if they were headphones themselves. And the best part is, you're already wearing your hearing aids so all you have to do is push play!