Hearing Aids Tips For Water & Humidity

Waterproof hearing aids are designed to keep the electrical components and batteries completely sealed when they are immersed in water. If you spend a lot of time swimming or near water, custom waterproof earmolds may be more suitable for you than traditional hearing aids. Ask your audiologist about which ​hearing aids are best for your lifestyle.

Water-resistant hearing aids are not meant to be submerged in water, but they are good for people in damp climates (i.e. places with high humidity), and those who may get splashed when sitting by the pool.If perspiration, humidity and water are only occasional issues for you, you can simply invest in water-resistant covers for your hearing aids.

If your hearing aids get more wet than you wanted, here are a few things you can do:

  1. Wipe them down. Remove the batteries from your hearing aids and dry the hearing aids and batteries with a dust-free cloth. This way, any excess moisture won’t seep into your device.
  2. Keep the battery door open. Keep the battery door open until morning so air can get in and dry out any moisture you missed.
  3. Use a dehumidifier. Many drugstores and hearing centers sell inexpensive little dehumidifiers – you can keep your hearing aids in them overnight to store them safely and dry them out.
  4. Put them in a bowl of rice. Put your hearing aids in a bowl of rice, which will draw out the moisture. It can take several days to dry out if your hearing aids were exposed to a lot of moisture.

Protect Hearing Aids In The Woods

Dust and debris from the trails can clog up your hearing aids, especially the microphone and tubing. Here are a few things to help keep your hearing aids dust-free:

  • Wind and Weather Protectors. These are small filters that provide an extra layer of protection for your hearing aids against wind, rain, dust and other outdoor debris. They are easy to put in, and easy to replace when they are dirty.
  • Hearing Aid Sleeves. These protect behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids from sweat, dust and other debris. You can buy them online, or ask your audiologist which ones would be best for you.

Secure Your Hearing Aids While Playing Sports

When playing sports, make sure your hearing aids are firmly in place before you go. You may want to consider some of these solutions:

  • Sports Clips. These clips attach directly to your hearing aids and keep them in place with a wire or plastic piece that goes around your head.
  • Sports Necklaces. These clip to your hearing aids and go behind your head. Some even clip to the back of your shirt.
  • Sweat Bands. The absorbent cloth of the sweatband fits over the hearing aid, keeping it in place without compromising sound quality.

Before you begin any new summer activities, visit your audiologist to make sure your hearing aids are adjusted and protected for your favorite activities.

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Dr. Ana Anzola, CCC-A, FAAA, ABA Principal

Dr. Anzola received her Doctorate degree in Audiology (AuD) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, and her Master’s Degree in Audiology and her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University. She has been a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) since 1995, board-certified by the American Board of Audiology (ABA), and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
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