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So you lost a hearing aid: Stay-calm tips on what to do next
Retrace your steps, try technology and other advice on tracking down a device that goes missing.
It happens. You fall asleep on the sofa, and one of your hearing aids disappears into a cushion while you snooze. Or you pull off your sweatshirt, and your device goes flying off.
“Losing a hearing aid is definitely a common occurrence,” says Victoria Laurella, Au.D. She’s a regional audiology manager for ENT and Allergy Associates in Staten Island, New York.
And it’s hard not to be alarmed when you can’t find yours. After all, hearing aids are an investment. And you’ve put in the time to meet with your hearing care professional to get them adjusted to your unique hearing needs.
But don’t you tear up your house or rush out for a replacement yet. These expert tips could help you find your device.
Tip 1: Open your hearing aid app
Most hearing aids today have apps that connect to your hearing aids via Bluetooth technology.1 And most of these apps have a “Find my hearing aid” function, notes Laurella.
If yours does, make sure the location services are on. “You’ll be able to see the last known location when those hearing aids were paired to your phone,” explains Laurella. That can help narrow your search to the coffee shop in town, for example. Or you’ll be able to see that your device is somewhere in your car or your house.
The “Find my hearing aid” option also lets you know when you are getting closer or farther away from your device once you start searching, says Laurella.
You won’t get those signals that let you know you’re getting closer if the batteries have died or you’re out of Bluetooth range. But you still will be able to tell, via a map, the last place you had them on.2
Tip 2: Try another Bluetooth device-locator app
If the hearing aid app doesn’t have a “Find my hearing aid” function, you can still use technology to find your misplaced device. Check out the App Store or Google Play to download apps that can help locate most hearing aids.2
Again, your lost hearing aid would have to be in Bluetooth range. Otherwise, no app will help you find it. And your hearing aid professional can’t track it remotely either, Laurella notes.
Tip 3: Retrace your steps
If technology can’t help you, retracing your steps may. Take a minute to recall where you last were when you had your hearing aid in. Then try these tips:
- Look in unlikely spots. Try under the bed, for instance, or behind the dresser or night table. “I had a patient find [his hearing aid] at the bottom of the garbage pail. It fell out when he was replacing a garbage bag,” says Laurella.
- Check the hamper. A hearing aid can get dislodged when you’re taking off a T-shirt or sweatshirt. Or it could be tucked in the folds of a shirt, notes Laurella.
- Check your pockets or purse. Could you have taken out your hearing aids for any reason during the day? If so, you might have put them in your bag or a pocket, Laurella notes.
- Ask a family member to lend a hand. Do you have mobility issues? Enlist a loved one to be your assistant. You can direct them where to look in your house and let them do the physical searching.
Tip 4: Give it time
You may be frustrated if you can’t locate your hearing aid right away. But try to be patient. “My golden rule is: Give it one week from when you lost it. A lot of times it turns up within that week,” says Laurella.
And yes, it may be disorienting wearing just one hearing aid. But in the short term, it won’t harm your hearing, says Laurella.
Tip 5: Call your hearing care professional
If you cannot find your device after a week, get your hearing care professional on the phone. They can check the contract you got when you first bought your devices to see if you have a warranty for lost or damaged hearing aids. If so, they can let you know if the warranty is still active. (AARP® Hearing Solutions™ offers a 3-year extended warranty for repair and a one-time loss or damage replacement. Learn more.)
Tip 6: If you do find your hearing aid, have it checked
It's a good idea to have your hearing care professional ensure it’s working correctly, says Laurella. “They can check it, change the parts, and make sure everything is functioning properly.” This is especially true if you lost your hearing aid outside, where it may have been damaged by water.
How to prevent losing your hearing aids in the future
It’s impossible to cut the risk of losing your hearing aids down to zero. But experts agree that setting up routines and other strategies can make it less likely that one will go missing.
Try these tips from Laurella to avoid losing a device again.
Store your devices in the same place every day. Get into the habit of putting your hearing aids in the charging station or a case whenever you take them off.
Make sure they fit well. Your hearing aids should stay in nice and tight, even when you’re working out, says Laurella.
Does one of your hearing aids regularly fall out of your ear for no reason? Call your hearing care professional. They can check the fit or go over how to insert them in your ears.
Do a spot check. Laurella recommends double-checking that both hearing aids are in your ears every time you leave your home. And be cautious any time you’re pulling clothing over your head.
Did you know that you may be able to request a no-cost hearing exam and consultation through AARP Hearing Solutions? Request an appointment.
Sources
- The best hearing aids in 2025 National Council on Aging. Accessed September 18, 2025.
- I lost my hearing aid! What can I do? Tips and strategies for finding and preventing lost hearing aids Better Hearing. Accessed August 14, 2025.
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.
AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.
