Technology is a huge part of modern-day life, and we’ve all been lectured on the importance of keeping electronics dry. Thankfully, the ‘rice trick’ is there to help us when we fumble, although not always guaranteed to work. Getting your hearing aids wet is nerve-wracking, so here’s what to do if you accidentally expose them to water.
Don’t Panic!
Like most electronics, phones, laptops and hearing aids can be susceptible to water damage – but with the right care and due diligence, this can be avoided.If you have hearing loss, you might consider your hearing aids a valuable part of your life. Electronics play a huge part in most peoples lives (in both professional and personal environments), and personal devices like hearing aids and smartphones can become quite dear to us.
However, it’s important to remember that just like our phones, hearing aids can be dried out…and if necessary can be repaired, and replaced. While we all try to avoid accidents happening, it’s not the end of the world if your hearing aids get wet, so, don’t panic!
Panicking can lead to stress, upset, and will not help the situation. Simply stay calm, and dry out your hearing aids the best you can. If you act quickly, it is likely there will be no harm done .
How to Dry Out Hearing Aids
Although it may sound intuitive, you need to know how to properly dry out hearing aids. This is a simple process, and while it might take some patience, drying out your hearing aids doesn’t require a lot of hard work.If your hearing aid(s) are on, turn them off and if they are outfitted with zinc-air batteries, remove them immediately. Note: keep your hearing aid(s) off until fully dry.
Shake your aid(s) to eradicate any excess water and dry them with a paper towel or rag. Try to remove as much water as you can; this will help with the air-drying process.After manually removing the water, you can begin dehumidifying your hearing aids.
If you have the time, simply air-dry your hearing aids. Place them in a warm place but keep them away from any direct sources of heat. Extreme heat is bad for your hearing aids and can potentially melt the components inside, if hot enough. With this in mind, never put your hearing aids on top of a radiator, in an oven or microwave.
While this might seem like a quick fix, it is sure to do far more harm than good.Hairdryers can be used to dry hearing aids, but caution is advised. Only use the dryer on the lowest setting and avoid putting the heat too close to your hearing aid. Cleaning tools can also be used to soak up water in tight places but avoid poking around too much. The last thing you want is to damage something by accident.After you’ve dried your hearing aids, replace the battery and turn them on. If you encounter any other issues, try to contact a technician for repairs.
Accessories for Hearing Aid Maintenance
Many accessories and tools are available for hard-of-hearing users who wish to maintain their hearing aids. If you frequently encounter wetness or moisture, a dehumidifier might be a good investment. Hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers are relatively inexpensive and offer reliable drying options. Some of these models will even sterilise your hearing aids during the process, so they’ll be clean and dry when you take them out.
