Summer is finally here! While we all enjoy being outdoors and active, we must remember the importance of hearing aid care. Hearing aids contain several parts such as the microphone and receiver that may be affected by moisture, sweat, humidity, dirt, and wax, to name a few. Moisture can cause static or may make the sound become weaker within the hearing aid. The electronics and inner workings can short out and corrosion can occur to the battery itself or within the battery compartment.
Here are a few recommendations on what to do to help avoid these issues:
- Active drying electric accessories use three main components: a drying agent, a fan, and heat that remove moisture and odors. Some also include UV-C germicidal replacement lamps for disinfecting. These units are great to have at your home for every night use.
-
- Examples of active drying units include the Dry & Store Global II, DryDome, or the Dry & Store Zephyr.
- Passive drying units are non- electric and do not require batteries.
- Typically, these are drying kits or jars that contain desiccants to draw out moisture. These are great for travel, camping, and outings.
- Passive drying units are the DryCaddy and Hal Hen Super Dry Aid.Sweat (head) bands are another great option to use for hearing aid protection during outdoor activities. These are commonly worn around the head and over the ears for hearing aid protection. Additionally, there are hearing aid sleeves which are comprised of a special fabric or a rubberized material that fit directly over the hearing aid itself. They protect the hearing aid from all moisture including sweat and even rain or fog precipitation by absorbing large amounts of moisture or by just keeping moisture from entering the hearing aid. This helps reduce the chance of battery corrosion, clogged microphones or any other product residue.
All recommended drying accessories can be purchased at any Audiological Consultants of Atlanta office.
If you believe your hearing device may be exposed to moisture based on your daily lifestyle, you want to consider the following preventative maintenance measures.
- Wash and dry your hands before touching your hearing aids.
- Open the battery door when you remove the hearing aid which will allow air to enter the hearing aid helping them to dry; it’s usually not necessary to totally remove the actual battery from the compartment.
- Leave your hearing devices in a safe place while at the beach or pool.
- Store your hearing aids at room temperature.
Remember, the smallest cleaning rituals can make a difference in reducing the need for repairs and extend the life of your hearing aids!
