6 Best Non-Slip Hearing Aid Accessories That Support an Active Lifestyle

That moment of panic when you’re halfway through a hike and reach up, only to feel a bare ear, is something no hearing aid wearer wants to experience. An active life is full of motion, moisture, and moments that can put these essential—and expensive—devices at risk. The good news is that with a little proactive planning, you can secure your hearing aids and focus on the activity, not the anxiety.

Friendly Disclaimer : This content is for educational & general research purposes only. Please consult healthcare providers or other qualified professionals for personalized medical, caregiving, or health-related advice.

Friendly Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!

Securing Your Hearing Aids for an Active Life

A long bike ride on a windy day, a strenuous session in the garden, or even just chasing a grandchild around the park—these are the moments that make life rich. They are also the moments when a hearing aid can feel most vulnerable. The combination of sweat, sudden movements, and friction from hats or glasses can easily dislodge a device.

This isn’t just about protecting a financial investment, though that’s certainly a factor. It’s about the confidence to live fully and without hesitation. Securing your hearing aids means you can lean into that tennis serve or bend over to weed the flowerbed without a nagging worry in the back of your mind. Proactive planning for this small detail provides a massive return in freedom and peace of mind.

The core challenge comes down to three things: moisture, which compromises both the electronics and the fit; movement, which can jar a device loose; and friction, where things like clothing or masks can pull a hearing aid off. The best non-slip accessories are designed to counteract one or more of these forces, ensuring your device stays exactly where it belongs.

Ear Gear Sleeves: All-Weather Device Protection

Imagine being caught in a sudden downpour during your daily walk or feeling the salt spray on a boat trip. Ear Gear sleeves are small, acoustically transparent spandex covers that slip directly over your behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, acting as a protective jacket for your device.

Their primary role is to shield the sensitive electronics from the elements. They create an effective barrier against sweat, rain, dirt, and dust. A secondary benefit is a reduction in wind noise, which can dramatically improve the clarity of what you hear when you’re outdoors. This makes them an excellent choice for golfers, hikers, and anyone who spends significant time outside.

While Ear Gear provides best-in-class device protection, it offers only a modest improvement in retention. The fabric adds a small amount of friction, which can help prevent slippage, but it won’t stop a device from falling if it’s knocked off. Think of it as the first line of defense for the health of your hearing aid in any weather.

OtoClip Retainers for High-Impact Activities

For a fast-paced pickleball match or a demanding yoga class, you need more than just a snug fit. You need a true safety line. This is where a retention clip like the OtoClip becomes indispensable for anyone engaged in high-impact or dynamic activities.

The system is brilliantly simple: a small, sturdy clip attaches securely to the collar of your shirt, while one or two thin, flexible cords connect to your hearing aids. If a hearing aid is dislodged by a sudden movement, it doesn’t fall to the ground to be stepped on or lost. It simply dangles safely and accessibly until you can put it back in place.

The main tradeoff is aesthetics. While the cords are thin and available in various colors to blend with hair or clothing, they are more visible than an adhesive solution. For athletes, avid gardeners, or anyone with a physically demanding job, however, the absolute security it provides far outweighs the minor compromise in discretion. This is pure, functional peace of mind.

Phonak Stick ‘n Stay for Discreet Adhesion

Consider a wedding, a formal dinner, or any situation where you want maximum security with zero visibility. Phonak Stick ‘n Stay pads are designed for precisely these moments, offering an elegant and nearly invisible way to keep BTE hearing aids in place.

These are small, transparent, and hypoallergenic double-sided adhesive pads. You apply one side to the body of the hearing aid and the other to the clean, dry skin behind your ear. This creates a gentle but firm bond that prevents the device from shifting, which is especially helpful for individuals with small ears or those who find their hearing aids compete for space with glasses.

Because they are a single-use, disposable product, they introduce a small recurring cost and require a moment of application each day. Their adhesive properties can also be compromised by heavy perspiration, making them less ideal for intense exercise. For low-impact daily wear and unparalleled discretion, they are a fantastic solution.

Adco Huggie Aids for Behind-the-Ear Comfort

If your BTE hearing aids tend to "flop" or ride up over your ear, particularly when wearing glasses, the problem might be more about stabilization than slippage. Adco Huggie Aids solve this by creating a soft, flexible harness that anchors the device comfortably to the ear itself.

The design features a soft ring that slides over the hearing aid’s ear hook, connected to a pliable tube that tucks securely into the bottom curve of your ear. This simple but clever mechanism uses the natural shape of your ear to hold the hearing aid firmly in place, preventing it from moving up, down, or forward.

While originally popular for pediatric use, Huggie Aids are an excellent tool for active adults seeking all-day stability without clips or adhesives. The only potential drawback is the slight bulk it adds behind the ear, which may interfere with some thicker-armed glasses. For pure, comfortable stabilization, it’s a remarkably effective option.

Oticon SafeLine: A Reliable Retention Cord

Sometimes, a solution designed by the hearing aid manufacturer itself provides an extra layer of confidence. The Oticon SafeLine is a purpose-built retention cord that functions as a straightforward safety net, designed to integrate seamlessly with Oticon devices but adaptable to many BTE models.

Like other retention systems, it employs a clip-and-cord design. A robust clip fastens to your clothing, and a durable, lightweight cord attaches to the hearing aid. The focus here is on quality and reliability, providing a secure tether to prevent the loss of a valuable device during the hustle of daily life, from commuting on a crowded train to working in the yard.

This is a pragmatic, no-fuss solution. Its sole purpose is loss prevention. It won’t stop a hearing aid from being dislodged, but it absolutely ensures it won’t be lost or damaged in a fall. For users who prioritize function and reliability over total invisibility, the SafeLine is a trusted choice.

SafeNSound Clips: A Simple, Everyday Solution

For everyday errands, a light workout, or just navigating a busy day, sometimes the most accessible and versatile tool is the best one. SafeNSound Clips offer a simple, effective, and highly affordable safety net for virtually any hearing aid wearer.

The design is classic and effective: a clip for your shirt collar is attached to cords with soft silicone loops that stretch to fit snugly around BTE hearing aids or cochlear implants. Their key advantage is variety. You can find them with single or binaural cords, in a wide array of colors to match your style, and at a price point that makes them an easy addition to your daily toolkit.

These clips are a fantastic entry point into hearing aid retention. They provide a reliable, universal solution that boosts confidence during any activity. While perhaps less specialized than manufacturer-specific options, their simplicity and affordability make them a go-to for countless active individuals.

Choosing the Right Hearing Aid Retention System

Ultimately, the best accessory is the one that fits your life. There is no single "best" product, only the right tool for a specific job. Your decision should be guided by your daily activities, your personal priorities, and the moments when you feel your hearing aids are most at risk.

Start by framing your needs. Are you primarily concerned with protecting your device from sweat on your daily run, or are you looking for absolute security during a sailing trip? A simple decision-making framework can help clarify your choice:

• Primary Activity: Is it high-impact like running, or low-impact like reading?
• Main Concern: Is it moisture and dirt, or is it preventing a physical fall?
• Discretion vs. Security: How important is it that the solution remains unseen?
• Convenience: Do you prefer a reusable clip or a disposable adhesive?

You may find that the optimal approach is to have more than one solution. A gardener might use Ear Gear sleeves for protection from dirt and sweat, but add an OtoClip when using a ladder for extra security. Someone else might use Phonak Stick ‘n Stay for work and social events, but switch to a SafeNSound Clip for weekend hikes.

The goal is to assemble a small, versatile toolkit that empowers you to engage in any activity with confidence. This isn’t about managing a limitation; it’s about enabling a full and active life. By choosing the right support system, you ensure your focus remains on the experience, not on your equipment.

A small, thoughtful accessory is a powerful investment in your independence and engagement with the world. By removing the worry of losing a device, you free yourself to live more actively, confidently, and fully. Choose the solution that fits your life, and get back to doing what you love.