How to Prevent Hearing Aid Moisture Damage

Hearing aids are sophisticated microelectronic devices. Because of this, they are prone to moisture damage. If condensation gets into the interior, it can corrode circuitry and batteries, leading to poor performance and possibly causing the device to stop working entirely. Short circuits are also a risk if you drop your device in water or forget to take it out when you have a shower or go swimming.

Keeping your hearing aids dry offers a host of benefits. The first is better sound. Testing shows that even small amounts of moisture in your hearing aid can affect its ability to amplify sound. Second, dry hearing aids are much more reliable. You are far less likely to need to take your device to a hearing health professional if you keep the moisture out.

Finally, dry hearing aids last longer. Whereas most people need to upgrade their devices every three or four years, yours may last much longer if you care for them well. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can prevent hearing aid moisture damage and keep your device working for longer. Here’s what you need to do:

Consider Moisture Exposure

If you take a shower or bath, spend time in a sauna, or go swimming, remember to take out your hearing aids. These environments increase the risk of device damage. Once you finish any of these activities, make sure that you thoroughly dry your ears afterward. Otherwise, residual moisture could make its way into your device and cause damage.

Open Your Hearing Aid’s Battery Door

If the interior of your hearing aid is cool but the outside climate is hot and humid, it can cause condensation to form on the device’s interior. Therefore, always leave your hearing aid battery door open at night. This practice lets the hearing aid dry out when you sleep, ready for use the next morning.

Consider Using a Dry Kit

Today, there are several drying “kits” that you can use to keep your hearing aids dry at night. The simplest are jars containing desiccants – materials proven to absorb moisture from your hearing aid and the atmosphere

Additional options include heat and fan systems. These are small devices that use a combination of heat and moving air to reduce the risk of condensation forming and remove any moisture that might have accumulated throughout the day. Like jars, they come with desiccant “bricks” that require annual or bi-annual replacement.

You can also dry hearing aids in a vacuum chamber. These clever systems create a vacuum around the hearing aid, reducing the boiling point of water, and causing any moisture to fizzle out of the device without the need for fans. Many hearing aids that perform poorly or are considered “dead” can recover their former function when vacuum-dried in this way.

Invest in a Water-Resistant Hearing Aid

Lastly, you might consider investing in a water-resistant hearing aid. While fully waterproof devices do not exist yet, water-resistant products may help if you regularly find yourself in wet or humid environments.

Don’t hesitate to give Beltone Hearing Care Centre a call if your hearing aids need a professional touch. Our offices numbers are:

• Campbell River, BC: (778) 560-3112
• Comox, BC: (778) 560-3103
• Coquitlam, BC: (604) 283-4430
• Duncan, BC: (778) 410-2166
• Nanaimo, BC: (778) 410-2529
• Powell River, BC: (778) 410-2167
• Sidney, BC: (778) 410-2536
• Victoria, BC: (778) 557-1704