“What did you say?” Hearing aids today are very small, weigh only a few grams, and are comfortable to wear. That’s why many hearing aid users don’t realize something is wrong until they’re in the middle of a conversation: the hearing aid is no longer in their ear! But when and where did they lose it? You took the bus, went to the supermarket, and stopped by the shoe store. Add to that glasses and sometimes headphones, and in the colder months, scarves or hats. Or, given the ongoing pandemic, do you perhaps still wear a mask indoors at times? Hearing aids could therefore have been lost anywhere while putting on or taking off these items. For older people in particular, it’s not always easy to coordinate all their movements; they can get flustered and stop paying attention to their hearing aids.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have contributed to these losses: An estimated 50,000 hearing aids are lost each year in Germany because they are accidentally pulled out by the mask straps. A mask, glasses, and a hearing aid—this combination on the ear is dangerous.

First, think about where and when you last wore your hearing aid. Then do the following:

• Search at home: Start by looking around your apartment or house before searching outside. Perhaps the hearing aid got caught on your clothes while you were changing or is lying on the floor in front of the closet.
• Ask at places you visited: Try to remember all the places and stores you visited that day. Ask if anyone has found your hearing aid.
• Search in Specific Areas with Help: If you can remember where you first noticed your hearing had gotten worse, you should search specifically in that area. Two pairs of eyes are better than one!
• Contact lost-and-found offices: Perhaps someone turned in your lost hearing aid there.
• Use the tracking feature: Modern hearing aids can be located via a smartphone app. If in doubt, ask your hearing care professional whether your devices support this feature.
• Schedule an appointment with your hearing care professional:If all your searching turns up nothing, you should visit your hearing care professional to have a replacement or loaner device fitted.

Whether and to what extent a health insurance provider will cover the cost of a new hearing aid always depends on the specific provider. The health insurance provider will then make a decision based on your individual circumstances. As a general rule, health insurance plans cover the costof an initial hearing aid if it is medically necessary. If you have private health insurance, the amount of any possible reimbursement for the cost of a replacement hearing aid may differ.

Contact your health insurance provider immediately if you have lost your hearing aid and need a replacement. To do so, you will need:

• Hearing Aid Prescription: Your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor will provide you with Form 15. They will note on it that you have lost your hearing aid.
• Hearing Test and Confirmation: Next, visit a hearing care professional. Have a current hearing test performed there and obtain a written confirmation that you have lost your hearing aid. The hearing care professional will also advise you on replacement or loaner devices.
• Affidavit: You must provide a written statement confirming that you have lost the hearing aid—and that it cannot be recovered. Include details of when and where the hearing aid was lost. Also confirm that your hearing aid has not yet been turned in to a lost and found office.

You or your hearing care professional will then submit the documents to your health insurance provider. The provider will then get back to you and inform you whether they will cover the cost of a new hearing aid and, if so, the amount they will cover.

Many hearing aid stores offer insurance for hearing aids. You can also purchase hearing aid insurance from online providers. In addition to covering the cost of damage, these policies also cover the cost of a replacement device if your health insurance doesn’t pay. Insurance can be a wise choice, especially for expensive hearing aids. But be careful: Insurance coverage must be in place in a timely manner—before you lose your hearing aid or it breaks.

Thanks to new technologies, you can further minimize the risk of losing your hearing aids: In-the-ear hearing aids are worn entirely inside the ear, so they don’t get caught on mask straps or clothing. If masks are the problem, mask clips available at your hearing aid store can help. These holders secure the mask behind the head or at the nape of the neck, keeping your ears free—and your hearing aid securely in place.

The ENT doctors and hearing care professionals in your area are here to help if you’ve lost your hearing aid. Your hearing care professional not only assists you in dealing with your health insurance provider but also offers hearing aid insurance plans. In addition, a hearing care professional is best suited to advise you on selecting the optimal hearing aid solution for your personal (hearing) needs.