Water Damage and Hearing Aids: What to Do When Your Aid Gets Wet

Water Damage and Hearing Aids: What to Do When Your Aid Gets Wet

No matter how careful we are in caring for our hearing aids, sometimes the unexpected happens. During the summer months, the risk of water damage to our hearing aids is higher than usual. Swimming pools, sprinklers and even perspiration can spell disaster for our hearing aids.

It just takes one mistake to cause water damage to your hearing aids – but with the right tips and tricks, a few simple steps can have your aids in perfect working order. If you find your hearing aids malfunctioning after getting wet, here’s what to do next.

 

Turn Your Aid Off and Take Out the Battery

It can be tempting to leave your hearing aids on in the hopes that they begin working again after water damage, but this is the last thing you should do. Don’t wait for your hearing aids to turn back on – immediately turn them off and take out the batteries.

When you do this, you limit the damage that water can do to the inner-workings of your aid. The faster you do this after removing from water or moisture, the better.

 

Remove the Tube and Hand Dry

After turning off your hearing aid and removing the battery, your next step should be to remove the tube (if your hearing aid has one) and use a soft towel or tissue to hand dry. This will remove the most obvious moisture from your aid – but be careful when drying by hand so you don’t cause more damage.

You can also try gently shaking your aid to remove water caught inside, but be sure not to do so too vigorously or you might cause additional damage.

 

Dry with a Fan or Hairdryer on Cool Setting

Hand drying won’t remove all of the moisture from your aid, so it’s a good idea to use either a fan or a hairdryer to remove water that a towel can’t reach. However, it’s important to remember that heat can be just as damaging to your aid as water can be! When using a hairdryer, make sure its on a cool setting and held about a foot from your aid when drying.

 

Leave Out to Dry

When it comes to avoiding water damage to your aid, there’s no substitute for patience. After doing what you can to remove excess moisture by hand, your next step is to allow your aid ample time to dry out.

Leave your aid in a cool, dry place for a day or two. Try leaving the battery door open to allow more airflow, or try a dehumidifying pot for even quicker results. Avoid putting your aid in rice as you might with other electronics, though – the rice can leave damaging residue that can cause more damage to your aid.

 

Clean and Replace the Battery

Once your aid is dry, it’s the perfect time to clean your aid to remove any residue left by the water. Make sure to follow the instructions of your hearing instrument specialist or audiologist so you don’t cause more damage with overly vigorous cleaning.

After your aid is dry and clean, put in a new battery and turn your aid back on. You might find that your aid is working perfectly, but there may be some noticeable malfunction to fix. In either case, it’s a good idea to schedule a follow up visit with your hearing specialist to check the aid and send it in for any needed repairs.

 

If you’ve gotten your aid wet, following these steps can save your aid – but it’s a good idea to follow up with us at Desert Valley Audiology. They can assess the damage to the aid (if any) and determine if repairs are needed. Plus, your hearing aid specialist can even show you tips for how to clean and maintain your aid to prevent future mistakes!

Contact our team today for questions about your aid, or how to find the perfect hearing aid for you!