Yes—hearing aid chargers are allowed; if the charger holds a lithium battery (power-bank style), keep it in your carry-on, while plug-in docks may go in either.
Flying with hearing aids shouldn’t be stressful. The rules for chargers are straightforward once you split them into two groups: simple plug-in docks and chargers that double as power banks. One has no battery inside; the other does. That difference decides where the item belongs.
This guide gives you clear packing rules, battery limits, and screening tips—so you breeze through security and still have power for every leg of the trip.
The Rules At A Glance
Start with the table below. It matches common hearing-aid items to the correct bag under current U.S. and international safety guidance.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Plug-in hearing-aid charger (no battery) | Yes | Yes |
| Charger case with built-in power bank | Yes | No |
| Hearing aids with batteries installed | Yes | Yes (not advised) |
| Spare lithium-ion or lithium-metal cells | Yes | No |
| Spare zinc-air button cells | Yes | Yes |
Taking Hearing Aid Chargers On Flights: What’s Allowed
Most hearing aid chargers fall into one of two designs.
Plug-In Charger (No Internal Battery)
This is the small dock or power brick that plugs into a wall outlet or a USB port. It stores no energy on its own. Pack it in carry-on for quick access, or place it in checked baggage if you prefer. Use a padded pouch to prevent damage and keep cables tidy for screening.
Charger With A Built-In Power Bank
Many premium models ship with a case that recharges the aids when no outlet is available. That case contains a lithium-ion battery, which means it counts as a spare battery or portable charger. Keep it in your carry-on only. If a bag gets gate-checked, remove the case and take it onboard with you.
Battery Limits That Matter
Air safety rules hinge on watt-hours (Wh) for rechargeable cells and lithium content for non-rechargeable cells. Small consumer packs up to 100 Wh ride in the cabin without special approval. Packs rated from 101 to 160 Wh may fly in the cabin with airline approval, usually limited to two per traveler. Anything above 160 Wh stays off passenger aircraft.
Most hearing-aid power banks sit far below 100 Wh, but you can verify by reading the label. If the label shows only milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), multiply V × Ah to get Wh. For example, 3.7 V at 520 mAh equals 1.924 Wh (0.52 Ah × 3.7 V). Write that number on a small piece of tape and stick it to the case to speed up any questions at screening.
Helpful references: TSA power banks, FAA PackSafe lithium batteries, and the IATA passenger lithium guide (2025).
Can You Bring A Hearing Aid Charger In Carry-On Or Checked Bags
Carry-on is always the safer choice for anything you need in flight or right after landing. Still, the bag split is simple:
- Plug-in charger with no battery: carry-on or checked.
- Charger that doubles as a power bank: carry-on only.
- Hearing aids with batteries installed: wear them or place them in your carry-on; checked is permitted, yet not advised.
- Spare lithium-ion or lithium-metal cells: carry-on only, with terminals protected.
- Spare zinc-air button cells: carry-on or checked when protected from short circuit.
How To Pack Hearing Aid Chargers And Batteries
Use these steps to avoid repacks and keep agents happy during screening.
- Label the capacity. If your charger case lists volts and mAh, convert to Wh and add a small label.
- Protect terminals. Store spares in original packaging or a small plastic sleeve; tape over exposed contacts.
- Keep cases off. Switch off any charging case before boarding. If it has a button, long-press to power down.
- Keep items together. Use a slim pouch for charger, cable, and spare cells; drop it in your personal item.
- Plan for gate checks. If a carry-on gets tagged at the jet bridge, remove power banks and other spares and take them into the cabin.
- Mind liquid cleaners. Hearing-aid cleaning sprays follow the standard 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on; pack larger bottles in checked baggage.
Why Carry-On For Power-Bank Cases
Lithium cells can overheat if damaged or shorted. Crew can spot and handle issues in the cabin. That’s the whole point of the cabin-only rule for spares and stand-alone chargers.
Screening Tips For Hearing Devices And Chargers
You can wear hearing aids through the metal detector and the body scanner. Tell the officer you’re wearing them if that feels easier. If the device alarms, an officer may swab or inspect it by hand. Chargers and cases go through the X-ray like any other small electronic.
Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can request help at the checkpoint. Point to your ears or use a card if speech is difficult in a noisy lane. You may ask the officer to face you, speak clearly, and repeat instructions when needed.
Flying Internationally Or On Non-U.S. Airlines
Battery carriage rules are broadly aligned worldwide. IATA guidance and many national regulators mirror the same cabin-only rule for spare lithium cells and portable chargers. Airlines may add their own limits, such as bans on in-flight use of power banks. If your itinerary spans multiple carriers, read each airline’s battery page before you pack.
Watt-Hour Math Without The Guesswork
Here’s a quick refresher so you can read any label fast:
- Wh = V × Ah. If the label shows milliamp-hours, divide by 1000 to get amp-hours first.
- Example A: 3.8 V at 450 mAh → 0.45 Ah × 3.8 V = 1.71 Wh.
- Example B: 5 V at 2000 mAh (some USB banks print at 5 V) → 2.0 Ah × 5 V = 10 Wh.
- If a case lists several cells, the Wh value on the label already reflects the pack. Use that printed number.
With the Wh known, the rule is easy: up to 100 Wh—cabin; 101–160 Wh—cabin with airline approval; above 160 Wh—leave it at home or ship by approved methods.
Common Packing Scenarios
These examples turn the rules into simple actions you can copy on trip day.
| Scenario | Where It Goes | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight train then flight next day | Carry-on | Keep charger case with battery in cabin; do not check it. |
| Two charger cases, each under 100 Wh | Carry-on | Bring both; pack each in its own sleeve to prevent damage. |
| Plug-in dry box with no battery | Carry-on or checked | Wrap cord; place in padded pouch to avoid cracks. |
| Long haul with 101–160 Wh bank | Carry-on | Obtain airline approval in writing; limit two packs per person. |
| Multiple packs under 100 Wh | Carry-on | Bring a reasonable number; keep cables separate to avoid shorting. |
Care Tips That Save Trips
- Dry box users: the standard, plug-in type with a heater or desiccant is fine in carry-on or checked; units with lithium heaters count as battery gear and stay in the cabin.
- Power strips: bring a small one for hotel rooms, but keep it in your carry-on so you can charge during layovers.
- International plugs: add a quality adapter; many hearing-aid chargers accept 100–240 V, so you usually only need a plug adapter, not a heavy transformer.
- Backup plan: toss a few zinc-air cells in your pouch even if your aids are rechargeable, in case a charger gets misplaced.
Pre-Flight Packing Checklist
- — Hearing aids in a small case, volume set low.
- — Charger dock or case, plus cable.
- — Spare batteries in sleeves or retail packs.
- — Printed or digital airline battery page bookmarked.
- — Tiny roll of tape for labeling and terminal cover.
- — Compact outlet adapter if you’re crossing borders.
- — A soft pouch to keep all hearing gear together.
Edge Cases You Might Wonder About
- Smart suitcases with built-in batteries: remove the battery before you check the bag. Keep that battery with you in the cabin.
- Damaged or swollen batteries: do not fly with them. Recycle and replace first.
- Large medical battery packs: if a health device uses a pack over 100 Wh, contact the airline in advance and carry paperwork that shows capacity and model.
- Cleaning wipes: solid wipes are fine in any bag; liquid wipes follow the liquids rule in carry-on.
Keep these three official pages handy in your bookmarks for quick checks: TSA: portable chargers & power banks, FAA PackSafe: lithium batteries, and IATA: passengers with lithium batteries (PDF).