What Should I Do if My Hearing Aid Gets Wet?

With summer comes pool parties, barbeques and swims at Sherwood Lake. Knowing how to care for your hearing aids if they get wet can give you peace of mind in the summer fun.

1. Calculate the Extent of Water Damage

Most hearing aids have a water-resistant coating to protect them from small amounts of water, but that doesn’t make them waterproof. The amount of exposure will likely affect the amount of potential damage. For instance, if you accidentally run through a sprinkler with them, they’ll likely have less damage than from jumping in a pool. Regardless of how your hearing aids get wet, it’s essential to remove them from the water immediately and take them to a dry location.

2. Wipe Away Moisture

Remove the battery from the device and wipe down the battery compartment and external surfaces with a dry cloth or paper towel. Do not put another battery in until you have established that your hearing aid is fully dry.

3. Use a Hearing Aid Dryer

You can use specialized electric hearing aid dryers or dryer jars (filled with moisture-absorbing beads) to help remove any lingering moisture.

4. Test Hearing Aids and Check the Warranty

Give your devices 24 hours to dry before putting them back in. After 24 hours, test your hearing aids to look for signs of static or noise disruption.

Even if your hearing aids appear to be okay, check your warranty coverage for water damage and make an appointment with a hearing specialist to double-check for signs of damage or necessary repairs.

Preventing Water Contact

Sometimes, water contact can’t be avoided, but following some safety tips can help prevent damage. If you’re going to be swimming or lounging by the water, remove your hearing aids and place them in a protective waterproof case prior to splashing around.

Approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. Don’t let worries about water damage prevent you from experiencing the many benefits of these devices. Contact the hearing aid experts at Topeka Ear Nose & Throat to schedule an appointment today.