Unless you’re a tropical plant, moisture generally does not make for a good friend! Unfortunately for hearing aids, moisture is all too present and can easily cause damage or corrosion to the tiny devices. Factors such as rain, sweat or general humidity can easily cause a problem. And given the importance of these devices to one’s daily life, we want to keep them in top condition! So what can be done to keep hearing aids dry from moisture?
It seems fairly obvious, the first rule of hearing aids is: don’t get them wet! Just in case you needed reminding. Of course, accidents can and do happen. If you’ve accidentally jumped in the pool or shower with your devices, don’t panic just yet. Get a cup of rice and drop them in there overnight (crazy, I know, but it can work!). The rice absorbs as much moisture as possible and is often used for damp phones. Then call up your Falls of Sound clinic and bring them in for us to have a check. If there is substantial water damage, our team will hear it and send for repairs as needed.
However, slightly less extreme versions of this can include general sweat and moisture daily. A couple of things can be done to help protect your hearing aids from humidity damage every day. If you have a charger for your devices with a lid, keep it closed overnight while they charge. Some chargers come equipped with a drying function. For others, placing a small dehumidifying sachet in the charger can help dry out a little more.
If your charger doesn’t have a lid (or you don’t have a charger), then you can get a dehumidifying beaker. Just place a dehumidifying capsule in the beaker and drop in your hearing aids overnight. Alternatively, for a more powerful clean, there are electronic clean and dry machines that use UV lights to dry. If using rechargeable hearing aids, however, be mindful to check before using the same electronic dryer. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have a temperature threshold and require specific electronic dryers.
Short version: don’t take your hearing aids for a swim! Most devices are designed to be as water-resistant as possible. So with the proper care – and after accident care! – you can keep your hearing aids safe and dry. With summer coming in full heat and humidity, it’s always good to keep these tips in mind. And if you’ve had a water accident, bring your devices in for a check in the clinic. So enjoy the holidays!