Hearing aids are essential devices for people with hearing loss. These devices are highly durable and last 5-7 years. But they can be impacted by daily wear and tear which affects their longevity and performance. One of the most common ways hearing aids can be damaged is through water and moisture. Whether you are walking in the rain or navigating humid subway stations, exposure to moisture can affect hearing aids. It is important to keep your hearing aids dry which protects them from moisture, preventing damage and supporting their optimal performance.
Impact of Moisture on Hearing Aids
Electronic devices including hearing aids tend to be vulnerable to water and humidity. Moisture can damage the integral (and expensive) microchip components of the hearing aid like the microphone, amplifier, and speaker. There are microscopic impurities and ions in water which form a chain that creates a connection with contact points in your hearing aid. When you turn on your device, the ion chain that now includes points in your hearing aid will direct the electricity elsewhere, creating a power shortage or short circuiting. This can cause your hearing aid to produce the following effects:
- Sound cuts in and out
- You can hear static or crackling noise
- Sounds are distorted or muffled
- Device randomly powers off and on
- Sound fades in and out
This reduces sound quality which makes it more challenging to hear. Moisture exposure can cause hearing aid components to experience erosion which prevents them from effectively processing sound. This can cause your hearing aids to need professional repair work or to even be replaced depending on the extent of the damage. To prevent this and to keep your hearing aids in the best shape, it is important to keep your hearing aids dry.
How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Hearing aids are designed to be water resistant. Most devices have a coating that offers the hearing aid protection from moisture. But it is important to practice additional strategies to keep your hearing aids dry. One of the most common methods used to dry hearing aids is using a drying box. Drying boxes these small boxes work with both rechargeable and non-rechargeable hearing aids and are easy to use. They work by placing the hearing aid inside the drying box, closing it, and pressing the start button. The drying cycle can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours depending on the moisture in your hearing aids. With rechargeable hearing aids, the drying box also charges your hearing aid so putting it in the box overnight allows you to wake up with a dry and freshly charged device! Soen drying boxes also offer UV lighting which sanitizes your hearing aids as well.
Additional Tips to Keep Hearing Aids Dry
In addition to regularly drying your hearing aids, there are a few tips you can practice to help keep your device dry This includes:
- Clean daily: it is important to thoroughly clean your device nightly. Develop a routine that you practice after taking your hearing aids out before sleeping. This should involve using a dry and soft cloth to thoroughly wipe down your device, removing any moisture or earwax that may have accumulated on it.
- Wear moisture protection. There are a few types of accessories that help prevent moisture from entering your ears. This includes:
- Sweatbands: there are sweatbands that are specifically made for people who wear hearing aids. Sweatbands absorb moisture which prevents moisture from reaching your hearing device. They are available in different colors and are worn over the ears. This is especially useful if you participate in physical activities that cause you to sweat.
- Earmuffs: this type of protective wear is worn over the ears, providing the ears with complete coverage. This protects the ears from loud noise exposure and helps keep the ears warm, reducing condensation (and moisture build up) in the ears.
- Utilize rain gear. Wearing rain gear helps you navigate the rain without getting wet. This includes wearing rain coats and using an umbrella which helps you stay dry, protecting your hearing aids from moisture.
Using a drying box and practicing these strategies can help keep your hearing aids dry. This supports their longevity and optimal performance. Contact us today.
