What To Do If Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet
Most hearing aids in today’s market (including
Audicus hearing aids) are moisture-proof, meaning sweating from a hard workout or walking outside on a rainy day won’t damage your hearing aids. Still, that isn't to say that hearing aid care isn't important.
Hearing Aid Care in Wet Environments
The majority of hearing aids are not totally waterproof, so it’s important that you are conscious of your hearing aids in wet environments. We understand that practicing hearing care might not always seem simple.
That's why we've compiled this guide to help walk you through how to protect your hearing aid when there is wetness involved.
Maybe you jumped right into the
swimming pool, or maybe you took a shower without removing your hearing aids first (tip: put a note on your bathroom mirror to remind you to always take your hearing aids out!). Don't fret- we've got you covered.
Addressing Wetness-Induced Damage to Hearing Aids
Water can be a damaging force to hearing aids, but getting them wet doesn’t always mean you have to start
shopping for new ones! Keep reading for helpful tips in case your
hearing aids get wet.
At-Home Methods For Drying Out Wet Hearing Aids
The first step after your hearing aids get wet is to turn them off and remove the batteries. Keeping a wet battery inside your hearing aid can further damage the device.
It’s best to be on the safe side and throw out the batteries, as well.
After removing the batteries, you have a few options:
- If you were in dirty or salty water, like the ocean, rinse your hearing aids first with clean water before drying
- Leave your hearing aids on dry newspaper and let them air-dry inside your house for at least 24 hours
- Putting the hearing aids near a table lamp can also speed up the drying process—but do not put them very close to a light bulb or other heat source because this can damage the device
- Take a cup of uncooked rice or silica gel and place it in a plastic baggie or a container with a lid. Stick your hearing aid in the rice or silica gel, seal the baggie/container closed, and leave it overnight—silica gel and rice can work as dehumidifiers and soak up the water in your hearing aid
- Dry your hearing aids using a fan, or a hairdryer on its lowest setting—do not use high heat. If your hair dryer has a “cool” setting, you can use that gently on your hearing aids.
- Important: do not use any high heat on your hearing aid! Do not put your hearing aids in the microwave, the oven, or on a radiator—strong heat can damage a hearing aid even more than water
Remember, if you get your hearing aid wet, do not fear! Your hearing aids aren’t necessarily damaged beyond repair.
Try any and all of the above suggestions, and avoid contact with high heat. If your hearing aids are still wet after you’ve attempted to dry them, contact your hearing aid provider.
You can also buy hearing aid
dry kits, which can help dry out a wet hearing aid.
Of course,
the best way to take care of your hearing aids is to try to avoid getting them wet at all, but if you do get them wet don’t panic—these at-home drying techniques often solve the problem!
By: Elena McPhillips, Updated in 2021
