It’s easy to understand how it might happen. You hop into the pool, the hot tub or the shower, and it happens – your hearing aid gets wet. Water is decidedly not good for your hearing aid, but there are steps you can take if the unforeseen accident occurs.
Most hearing aids are not waterproof, but they are generally water-resistant. So the best practice would be best kept out of the shower, pool or hot tub, if possible. Don’t panic, if it has happened though, many hearing aids have a coating to protect them from some levels of moisture damage. This coating is not intended to protect from large amounts of moisture or complete immersion but rather, small amounts of water such as from perspiration. Read on to learn what to do if your hearing aid does get wet.
4 Steps to Take If Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet
1.) Take these steps as soon as possible.
If your hearing aid falls in the water or get wet, take these steps as soon as you can for the best outcome:
- First, switch off your hearing aid immediately.
- Then be sure to take the battery out of your hearing aid right away and dry it off.
- Shake the hearing aid gently to remove all possible water. Be sure that the battery compartment is open.
- Let the hearing aid air out with the battery compartment open.
2.) Using a dehumidifier.
Another step to consider if your hearing aid got wet is the use of a dehumidifier. This can be a useful tool in drying out your hearing aid as well as providing added benefits of drying out wax, eliminating smells and reducing bacteria.
3.) What not to do.
Sometimes understanding what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Hearing aid users who got their hearing aids wet might be tempted to stick them in the microwave, under a hair dryer, furnace or some other heated environment. This is never a good idea. In some cases, these activities can be so harsh to the components of your equipment that it causes more damage.
4.) Contact the professionals.
At Hearing, Balance & Speech Center, We’re Here to Help! Contact Us Today!
One of the best things you can do if your hearing aid gets wet is to contact your hearing aid professionals. They are the most qualified to help you assess the amount of damage and also explore options like repair and warranties. One of the most important reasons to contact your hearing aid professionals is to ensure that you don’t suffer without adequate hearing support any longer than you need to. In other words, if you need a replacement, you want to get that ordered as soon as possible.