Protect Your Hearing Aids from Condensation
For those who live in the North, the cold winter weather can present another challenge for hearing aids wearers. We all know not to get your hearing aid wet with water. However, what about cold weather? Protecting your hearing aids from condensation is vitally important.
Studies have shown that the cold itself is surprisingly not damaging. However, the condensation that occurs from temperature changes can adversely affect your hearing aid.
For those of us who wear eyeglasses, removing the moisture or condensation from the lenses after coming indoors from the extreme cold is an all too common occurrence. The same condition occurs with hearing aids. However, removing that inside moisture is not possible and will eventually lead to permanent damage.
Protecting your Hearing Aids from Condensation Damage
Moisture can cause corrosion to the delicate internal digital circuitry of the hearing aid as well as the battery and battery contacts. Condensation can soak into the diaphragms and damage the tiny microphones and speakers. Moisture droplets commonly plug the very small diameter sound tubing and must be cleared out.
Symptoms
- You might notice that sounds fade in and out
- Scratchy sound
- Distorted or unclear sound
- The unit may completely stop working and in a few hours start again when the moisture droplet obstructing the tubing evaporates over time.
Recommendations
While moisture is hard to avoid in extreme cold, there are some precautions you can take in an attempt to keep your hearing aids dry and safe.
- Open the battery door at bedtime allowing the moisture to evaporate.
- Hearing aid dehumidifier: This is a small inexpensive device that contains a silica crystal desiccant. The desiccant will absorb moisture from the hearing aid overnight. You can dry and reactivate silica crystals by placing them inside an oven or microwave.
- Hearing aid Sweatband or Sweat sock
Although hearing amplifiers have many benefits, they are still susceptible to damage from moisture like other hearing aids. Otofonix is dedicated to providing the best ear amplifier as well as education lacking in the industry.
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