Moisture in Hearing Aids
What Do I Do If My Hearing Aid Gets Wet?
Don’t Panic!
While water damage used to be a huge problem for hearing aids, most modern hearing aids sold by Audiology First have some degree of moisture protection. For example, the new Opn series from Oticon have the highest protection status available; the IP68 classification. This means that the hearing aids are completely protected from long term water immersion up to a specified pressure (they are tested for 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters). That means that hearing aids are usually able to fully recover if they end up getting drenched in a rain shower, splashed with water or accidentally worn swimming!
If your hearing aids get wet, remove the battery and leave the battery drawer wide open. Place the hearing aids on a paper towel or other absorbent material in a dry, warm location. Within about 30 minutes the hearing aid will be dry enough to put a new battery in and should operate normally.
Making the Hearing Aids Last
Not all hearing aids have as high a protection classification against moisture. For some older hearing aids, it is important to remove excess daily moisture buildup to keep the components, sound quality and overall functioning of the device at top condition. Everyday moisture buildup can be caused by sweat, or water condensation due to hot or cold temperatures. If you do not remove the moisture from some hearing aids, this can eventually lead to corrosion and malfunction. For best results, it is recommended you dry your hearing aid nightly. For some, this is just as simple as leaving the battery drawer open each night and letting the air circulate through the hearing aid system. However, it can be good practice to use a dedicated drying system with your hearing aids in order to maintain them for longer, regardless of IP rating.
There are several viable options you may use to remove the moisture, and some of these also include a sanitizing function that will eliminate bacteria and keep your hearing aid hygienic and clean. Audiology First, your hearing aids clinic in Lethbridge, offers a few different options for your drying and/or sanitizing needs.
PerfectDry Lux Universal Sanitizer Dryer
This hearing aid dryer is perfect for any hearing aid, including all plastics and ear molds, and contains a UV light that has the approximate lifespan of 10,000 hours (estimated to be over a year and a half with daily use) before you need to change the bulb.
The UV light removes microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts, fungi and mildew. The lamp is a short wave, low pressure mercury vapour tube that produces Ultra Violet wavelengths that are lethal to bacteria. The light runs for 8 minutes and shuts off automatically when finished.
Hal-Hen Super Dri-Aid
The Hal-Hen Dri-Aid is a jar of absorbent white and blue beads. The beads are used to pull moisture out of your hearing aid. You simply place the hearing aid into the jar every night and tightly close the lid. Eventually, over a long period of use, the blue beads turn white, indicating that the jar cannot absorb any more moisture. Once they have changed colour, simply follow the instructions on the package to recharge the drying kit (the jar is placed in the oven to dry the beads out again). While this is a much cheaper option than the PerfectDry Lux, it simply removes moisture without sanitizing the hearing aid.
Options
The PerfectDry Lux Universal Sanitizer and Dryer and the Hal-Hen Super Dri-Aid are two options for removing moisture from your hearing aid, which should be done regularly. Visit Audiology First in Lethbridge and find out what option best suits your needs. It is so important to take care of your hearing aid to ensure you get the best use out of it!
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But First... A Little About Me Originally from India, I joined Audiology First in July 2023 as a Supervisee Audiologist. I hold a four-year Bachelor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala, India. I have the experience of working as a clinical audiologist in an ENT clinic in Kerala for three years, before I migrated to Canada, as a permanent resident in 2019 with my family. After completing the supervised practice required by the Alberta College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists (ACSLPA) under the supervision of Glenn Hole, I am now a registered member of ACSLPA. I joined the team as a permanent full-time clinician in November 2023. Working At Audiology First My experience at Audiology First has been so enriching and fulfilling as I pride in the fact that the clinic strives hard to provide its patients with the best possible and evidence-based intervention strategies. Be it obtaining a detailed case history or comprehensive hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings and follow-up appointments or cerumen management (that’s wax removal!) we make sure that the patients leave feeling more confident, listened to and with more knowledge about their hearing loss or hearing aids. How I Think About Hearing Care I believe that effective communication is essential for a fulfilling life, and I strive to empower my patients by providing personalized care and support. In my area of practice, I focus on understanding each patient’s unique needs and lifestyle. Whether it’s fitting hearing aids, offering rehabilitation strategies, or providing education on hearing health, my goal is to ensure that every patient can engage fully with the world around them. I’m excited to work with you and help you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes!
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