Today’s daily wear hearing aids are marvels of the engineering arts. Rugged, dependable and with features un-thought-of just a few years ago. They deliver quality sound and service that is truly remarkable. This isn’t to say that they don’t have their weaknesses though.
With the Queensland’s humid summers and our patients ever increasing active lifestyles, one of the chief concerns we hear about is moisture. While modern hearing aids are very water resistant they are not truly water proof. Battery covers, connecting tubes and vents are all areas that could, under certain conditions, could allow moisture to enter your hearing aid.
To keep your hearing aid in tip-top condition we recommend drying it daily and here is a quick tutorial on how to do it right.
How Not to Dry a Hearing Aid
First, let’s cover the do not list. Any of the below methods of drying a hearing aid could result in irreparable damage and some could present a danger of fire.
Never:
- Place your hearing aid in direct sunlight for extended periods of time
- Place your hearing aid in a microwave
- Place your hearing aid on top of a radiator, in front of a heater or in an oven
Safe Hearing Aid Drying Options
Rice
My personal favourite method of drying hearing aids mainly because it is cheap and always available is rice. Place a small amount of rice in a clean jar or other airtight container. Rest your hearing aid on top of the rice, seal the jar and let sit overnight. The rice absorbs the moisture and dries the device.
In a hurry, heat the rice, not the hearing aid, in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and then follow the process above.
Drying Capsules
These are the little packs of crystals that you get in almost everything you buy. When the crystals change colours discard and use a new pack.
Talk to the team for in-depth hearing and hearing aid maintenance here