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Summer is a great time to get together with your family, go to the park, the beach, or just take a walk in the surroundings. However, people who have hearing problems and are using hearing aids, need to consider a few things.
Several issues may arise in relation to hearing devices during the warm season. Excessive sweating torments people. Today I will talk about how to cope with this problem and avoid its occurrence in the future.
Why is humidity dangerous for hearing aids?
Any electronics, whether it is a mobile phone, a computer, or a hearing aid is especially sensitive to temperature extremes and moisture. Many people who use hearing aids have experienced moisture getting into their devices.
I want to note that the definition of moisture should not be understood as only the ingress of liquid into an electronic device. Hearing aid owners are primarily experiencing difficulties due to excessive sweating and the accumulation of dirt particles in the tube of the device. Sometimes patients complain of moisture, which penetrates the case of the hearing device.
In this regard, summer is the most problematic and dangerous time of the year that shortens the life of your hearing aid. The problem of humidity and hearing aids is becoming more relevant. Dr. Zhanneta Shapiro notes that patients increasingly complain of damage to their hearing aids due to exposure to moisture.
Constantly changing ambient temperature catalyzes the formation of condensate in the air, which has a detrimental effect on the device.
Even a small amount of moisture, which has turned into condensate, is fraught with corrosion of the charger. Thus, rust forms on the batteries, which leads to the destruction of the auditory device.
The main difficulty in preserving hearing aids in the summer is their small size. You are unlikely to be able to disassemble the device each time and clean it of the moisture yourself, without any help.
What is a Hearing Aid Dehumidifier?
The name itself suggests that the dehumidifier is a device that is designed to absorb moisture. It is made in the form of a small plastic tube and a cover that can protect the device from the negative effects of moisture. Particles of water can easily damage any electronics, but using a dehumidifier, you will forever forget about the problems that arise in the warm season!
The main task of the dehumidifier is to not let water particles pass into the device. This effect is achieved through a special moisture-repellent pad. This technology is absolutely safe for the device and very effective. The same effect has a special silicone, which is placed in the packaging of the device at the factory, to protect it from the possible negative consequences of improper storage. Usually, such gels can be found in the box of any electronic device, they are very actively used during transportation.
Hearing Aid Dehumidifier does not need chargers, batteries, and electricity. You can simply leave the device at night to dry and use it again in the morning.
You do not have to spend a lot of money. Usually, its price does not exceed 30-40 dollars. The service life is quite long and ranges from six months to two years. In my opinion, this is a really great thing that will make you forget about any difficulties associated with hearing aids!
How to protect your hearing aids from moisture?
I recommend you clean your hearing aids at least once a month. Such manipulations will significantly extend the life of your devices.
There are special hearing aid dehumidifiers designed specifically to combat moisture. These devices can effectively cope with the elimination of excess moisture, which is the main enemy of hearing aids, so using them will significantly increase the operating time of your hearing devices. Do not forget to use your dehumidifier every night, this way you can save some money (you don’t have to buy a new device so often) and enjoy your life without breaking into solving unnecessary difficulties.
In addition to hearing aid dehumidifiers, you can use the UV-Clean & Dry Box. Their action is aimed at the destruction of unwanted microbes and bacteria by ultraviolet radiation.
Thanks to the special effects of heat and dryness, the hearing aid will always be clean, which will extend its life for many years. This technology does cost a bit more than the regular dehumidifier but the result is worth it! Besides, the UV-Clean system allows you to avoid infection of the ear canal and eliminates various unpleasant consequences.
You can clean your hearing aid yourself, using a special tool to clean it. It is recommended to use this method daily to increase the life of the device.
Hearing aids are indispensable assistants in everyday life that require appropriate care. A dirty device may not function at full strength. Moreover, proper Hearing Aid Cleaning significantly extends the life of your devices.
Typically, cleaning is carried out using a special wire, which is thin enough and can easily penetrate the contaminated surface of the tube to remove dirt and moisture.
It is also necessary to constantly wipe the battery compartment and the outer surface of the device. This is usually done by using a soft cloth to prevent damage to the casing.
Pay particular attention to hearing aids and sun. It is not recommended to leave the device in a warm, humid place for the whole day, as direct sunlight can damage the electronics, sometimes irreversible.
Use these simple tips and moisture will no longer interfere with your hearing aid during the summer. I recommend you use only modern and reliable means to get rid of problems associated with moisture accumulation on the internal parts and the body of your hearing aid.
Audiology Island cares about its customers, your health is most important to us. We do our best to make life easier for every patient who comes to us for help. Today we examined a very important topic and I described in detail possible solutions to problems that arise in people with hearing problems. Using a hearing aid is often the only way to stay in touch with the outside world. Correct and timely device care is an important part of every patient’s life because hearing your loved ones is priceless!
About Dr Zhanneta Shapiro
Dr Zhanneta Shapiro received her Masters of Science from Brooklyn College in 2005 and completed her Doctorate of Audiology from Florida University in May 2008. Her graduate training was in various hospitals in the tri-state area and a residency period completed at Ear Nose and Throat Associates of New York. [ Learn More ]
