Protect Your Hearing Aids from Heat and Humidity

If you have recently been instructed or advised to wear hearing aids then you may be concerned about what you can and can’t do while wearing them. You may also be worried about how to care for them properly. This article will dive into everything related to looking after your hearing aids in all weather.

Bear in mind that hearing aids are not waterproof, we will talk more about this further down. When you are provided with your hearing aids you will also be given a protective case for them. Use this at every opportunity so they don’t get lost or damaged.

What Are Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are a custom-made device that sits inside your ear and amplifies any sound that enters it so you can hear it. Hearing aids are designed specifically if you are experiencing hearing loss. There are many different types of hearing aid and it all depends on your level of hearing loss and your lifestyle.

All hearing aids are made up of the same electrical components, however, they may all be housed differently. They all contain a microphone that picks up the sound, an amplifier that makes the sound louder, a receiver so your ear gets the message about the sound and a battery so that your hearing aids will work. You will need to change your batteries whenever they run out to ensure you keep hearing effectively.

No matter the type of hearing aid you have, you will need to protect them from the elements. Hearing aids don’t fare well when it rains or when it’s incredibly hot. You need to know how to properly care for them when you have them. Your audiologist will go through everything with them and discuss a care routine for your hearing aids.

Heat, Humidity and Water

There are three things that you always need to keep in mind when you have hearing aids, these are heat, humidity and water. There will always be these three around, especially in the height of summer, so you need to be careful and aware of the dangers. If you have any activities planned during the summer, there are a few precautions you will need to take when it comes to your hearing aids.

If you are traveling by car, do not leave them in your car at all for any length of time. Cars are notorious for overheating and in the same way you wouldn’t leave your baby or dog in the car, don’t leave your hearing aids in there. One study discovered that an hour in a hot car can see temperatures of up to 120 degrees. This is way too hot for your hearing aids and will undoubtedly cause them to malfunction.

If you are planning on going to the beach you might be wondering if your hearing aids will be safe there. The only place they will be safe and protected is in their protective case away from the sand and water. The last thing you want is sand in your hearing aid, this could either block the sound hole or irritate your ear.

Not Waterproof

If you have been for a swim, then know your hearing aids might be water-resistant but they certainly aren’t waterproof. If you’ve been for a dip in the pool or the sea, make sure your ears are completely dry before putting your hearing aids back in. It may be okay to wear your hearing aids in the shower but not for long periods in the sea or a swimming pool. Fully submerging your hearing aids in water can be incredibly dangerous for the device.

Protect Your Hearing Aids

It might be worthwhile investing in a good quality dehumidifier. With a lot of heat and humidity, it may not be enough for your hearing aids to air dry overnight. A dehumidifier will ensure your hearing aids are bone dry and stay moisture-free.

This means they will live a bit longer before malfunctioning. If you feel your hearing aids have come into contact with anything harmful such as sand or water then it may be worthwhile taking them back to your audiologist to be thoroughly cleaned.

Keeping Them Clean

At the end of each day, you should take your hearing aids out and wipe them down. This could get you into quite a good nightly routine. The reason for this is because your ears can get sweaty especially if covered by an earmold. The sweat then gathers and collects on your hearing aid which opens you up to not only grimy hearing aids but a higher risk of infection.

If you need any further help or guidance on how to care for your hearing aids or you have got them a bit soggy then contact Arkansas Professional Hearing Care at (501) 588-0177. The team here will be able to help with any queries you have.