If you’re a hearing aid wearer, you already know how important it is to care and maintain your hearing devices. Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, accidents can sometimes happen.
Many of us spend a lot more time outside in the summer. And who doesn’t love cooling down with a refreshing dip in the pool. For hearing aid wearers, this can open up the risk of getting your hearing aid devices wet.
When a hearing aid device is damaged or no longer works, it can leave the person unable to communicate or do things they once could. Replacing a hearing device can be expensive, and in some cases can take quite a bit of time.
If you’ve gotten your hearing aids wet, you may worry that you will need entirely new devices. We’re taking a look at steps you’ll need to take to dry your hearing aids and hopefully get them back to working order
How to Dry Your Hearing Aids
There are a few important steps to take if you find yourself with hearing aids that have been exposed to moisture or water. It’s not as uncommon as you may think! Sweat, condensation, and other moisture can make its way into contact with your devices in a multitude of ways.
The steps below can help you dry your hearing aids out and, hopefully, return them to full function.
- Turn off your hearing aid and remove the battery – Not all hearing devices are equipped with zinc batteries. If yours is, ensure that once you’ve turned it off you remove the battery. Keep your device in the ‘off’ position and the battery removed until your device is fully dry.
- Remove as much excess water as possible – If there’s a significant amount of moisture or liquid, shake out the device. Use a paper towel or rag to spot dry it. Remove as much water as possible to assist with the air-drying process.
- Dry your hearing device – If possible, air drying is the best choice. Find a warm, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Never place your hearing device on a radiator, inside an oven, or in a microwave. A hair dryer may be used, but direct caution should be observed. Overheating your hearing device can damage components inside and can mean further damage. Use the hairdryer on low heat, and make sure you stay a good distance from your device. Too much heat can, in many cases, be worse for electronics than moisture. Make sure your battery door is left open to help with airflow and to help dry the inside as good as possible.
- Give it enough time – Depending on how wet your device got will determine how long you want to let it dry. Usually, a few days is long enough, but adding more time won’t hurt.
- Replace batteries and try your device when you’re ready – If you’re comfortable that your device is dried out completely, you can replace the batteries with new ones and try to turn your device on.
In the event that you are still having issues with your hearing aid after you’ve tried these steps, don’t just assume that your device is broken. Speak to your local hearing clinic. They may be able to repair your device.
Do you suspect that your hearing aid device may have gotten wet? The hearing specialists at Anderson Audiology would be happy to check them out for you. To book an appointment, call us on 702-997-2964. Alternatively, click here to request an appointment online.