Keeping Your Hearing Aids Dry
Did you accidentally get your hearing aids wet? Maybe you got caught in the rain, or forgot to take them out before stepping into the shower. Did you have a recent holiday to a hot and humid country in Asia or South America? Keeping your hearing aids dry doesn’t have to be complicated, and a few simple steps will protect your hearing aids from moisture damage, and keep you hearing clearly for years to come.
Water and Hearing Aids Don’t Mix
Your hearing aids are electronic devices, and just like your phone or computer, they don’t like water. Not only does the water itself damage the electrical components of your devices, particles in the water can also do a lot of damage. Ions in the water can connect the contact points in your devices, and instead of sending power to the device, they’ll direct that energy elsewhere, causing a power shortage. Your devices won’t function well, and you’ll struggle to hear the sounds around you.
Not only do the electrical parts of your hearing aids hate water, the metal in your hearing aids is also averse to water. The metal components of your devices are coated in a water-resistant shell, but prolonged exposure to water or moisture can cause these metal parts to corrode.
Drying Your Hearing Aids
You’d never let your phone or favorite wristwatch be exposed to moisture, and you always dry them out after an accident. Hearing aids can easily hold up under a day of moisture, humidity, sweat, or earwax and nanotechnology coating keep your devices safe. However, if you don’t dry them properly every day the repeated exposure will wear away at your devices and you’ll have trouble hearing.
So, should you put your hearing aids in a bag of rice? Not exactly. When it comes to drying out your devices, a dehumidifier or dryer is the best way to maintain your devices and keep them in great working order. A hearing aid dryer is a small box that uses air or heat to thoroughly dry your devices. All you have to do is set your devices into the drying box, close the lid, and turn it on. In a few hours your hearing aids will be completely dry! If you have rechargeable hearing aids, you can even get a charger that has a built-in dryer. In the morning you’ll have a full day of power, and completely dry hearing aids.
If you’ve accidentally soaked your hearing aids, don’t wait until the evening, but put them in the dryer right away and protect your devices from water damage.
Preventing Moisture from Reaching Your Devices
Do you play sports, perspire heavily, ride your bike every day, or live in a rainy city? You can use a hearing aid sleeve to keep your hearing aids dry, and prevent moisture from reaching your devices. These water-resistant pouches will stop moisture before it reaches your hearing aids, and you can hear clearly without worrying about damaging your devices.
Daily Cleaning
If you want to prolong the life of your hearing aids and enjoy clear hearing day in and day out, develop a daily cleaning routine. Cleaning your devices before drying them will keep your devices in tip top shape, and you’ll avoid damage or expensive repairs. Set aside 5 minutes every evening before bed to clean your devices.
Start by wiping the hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dirt, dust, earwax, or moisture. Look for any build up of earwax around the holes of the hearing aids, and use a small hearing aid pick to remove this ear wax. Once a week, remove the earmolds from the hearing aids, and wash just the earmolds in warm water. Let them dry overnight, or dry them in your hearing aid dryer. Make sure they’re completely dry before you place them back onto the hearing aids.
Fit Hearing Audiology Network
If you’ve been experiencing any issues with your devices, or haven’t been hearing clearly, find a professional through Fit Hearing Audiology Network. A qualified hearing professional can perform a thorough cleaning, check your hearing aids for damage, and do any minor repairs. Most hearing professionals service most styles of hearing aids, so look for one in your area today and learn how to keep your hearing aids clean and dry!
