Keeping your hearing aids safe from moisture this summer!
Summer is upon us! Along with the warm weather often comes fun at the pool, running, biking, hiking, yard work, and so much more. What does this mean to you if you’re a hearing aid user? One of the most common questions we get when fitting hearing aids, is: “What should I do if these get wet?”. We are going to share some helpful information regarding caring for your hearing aids when there is a likelihood that they may be exposed to water or moisture.
First, consider the difference between “water-proof” and “water-resistant”. A water-proof hearing aid is designed to withstand continuous submersion in water, as it is built with a single-piece casing and waterproof membranes between the different components inside the device. Water-resistant hearing aids however, are much more common. Most water resistant hearing aids are at least rated IP57, which means that the amount of dust that might enter the hearing aid should not interfere with it’s function, and that they could be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and still function properly. Most hearing aids that are fit today fall under the “water-resistant” category.
Surprisingly, most hearing aid repairs caused by moisture are not from a specific event of dropping them into a pool, or accidentally wearing them into the shower. Instead, it tends to be due to continued exposure to moisture on your skin throughout the day (ex. sweat, or skin oils). The best way to keep your hearing aids working well long-term is to practice good maintenance and cleaning on a regular basis. This significantly reduces the need for the devices to be sent in to the manufacturer for repair. Below are some tips for keeping your hearing aids free of water and other forms of moisture:
- Use a dehumidifier/electric hearing aid dryer. These devices are used to store your hearing aids at night while you sleep, and by using a small fan and desiccant, they dry out and absorb moisture that has built up throughout the day. This is one of the most effective ways to keep your hearing aids working well long term!
- Wipe down the hearing aids after use at the end of the day. This prevents any moisture on the devices from entering inside and causing further issues. Most hearing aids will come with a dust-free cloth that can be used to wipe down the aids.
- Open the battery door when not in use. Not only does this give you longer battery life, but it allows air to flow freely inside the device and dry up any moisture that has accumulated inside the device while the battery door is closed.
- Consider a sweat cover. For people who know that are going to excessively sweat, a sweat cover that is placed around the body of the hearing aid (like a stretchy sock!) is designed to absorb sweat as it comes into contact with the hearing aid. These can be washed and dried, and are relatively inexpensive ($20-$30).
We hope that this post has been helpful in keeping your hearing aids free of moisture this summer! Enjoy hearing all of the wonderful sounds that being active outdoors brings!