How Humidity Affects Your Hearing Aids

When large bodies of water evaporate, water vapor enters the air. Humidity refers to how much water vapor there is in the air. When temperatures are high, there tends to be more water vapor. If you are wearing hearing aids it’s worth learning about how humidity affects your devices.

How Does Humidity Affect Hearing Aids?

When humid air touches the cold metal parts of your hearing aids, condensation forms, creating tiny droplets of water. Humidity causes you to sweat and these sweat droplets also end up inside your hearing aids. All the moisture can clog the components of your hearing aids, which can interfere with the frequency response. The moisture can corrode the parts of your hearing aids, and cause short-circuiting of the receivers and microphones. If your hearing aids are exposed to excess moisture, this can cause damage to the components.

How Can I Tell If My Hearing Aids Are Affected by Humidity?

If your hearing aids are affected by humidity, you may notice the following signs:

• The sound becomes distorted.
• A crackling or static sound inside your hearing aids.
• The sound fades and then returns.
• Your hearing aids cut out if there’s a loud sound.
• Your hearing aids randomly switch off and on

How Can I Check My Hearing Aids for Moisture Damage?

The above issues may indicate moisture damage, however, there are other reasons why your hearing aids could malfunction. Before you determine that moisture is the culprit, you may wish to check the following:

• Make sure that your batteries are charged and installed properly.
• Take a look at the battery contacts, use a cotton bud to remove any dirt or moisture.
• Check the earmold.

What Can I Do to Protect My Hearing Aids from Humidity?

To protect your hearing aids from humidity there are many things that you can do. First of all, try wearing sweatbands, you can purchase special bands for hearing aids. These bands will help to prevent moisture from entering your devices. If you are exercising, aim to do so when it’s cooler outside. You may also consider taking out your hearing aids when you are exercising. It’s advisable to choose hearing aids that have a high liquid resistance or devices that have a nanocoating. One of the best things you can do is to purchase a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. These devices can help your hearing aids to last longer. At the end of the day, clean your hearing aids and then put them into the dehumidifier. During the night, the machine will remove the moisture, preventing damage. For more advice on protecting your hearing aids from humidity, speak to your audiologist.

There Are Many Benefits of Drying Your Hearing Aids, Including:

• Improved sound quality: By keeping your hearing aids nice and dry you’ll experience better sound quality.

• Reliable hearing aids: If you keep your hearing aids dry, you’ll increase their lifespan, saving yourself money in the long run.

Can I Wear My Hearing Aids If It’s Raining?

You shouldn’t go out in heavy rain when wearing your hearing aids. Heavy rain could cause your hearing aids to break completely. If you’re caught in a very light shower, there shouldn’t be an issue. Make sure that you dry out your hearing aids as soon as you can. If you’re out in the rain, it’s best to protect your hearing aids with a rainproof hood or to temporarily remove them.

How Can I Choose the Right Hearing Aid?

When you’re choosing your hearing aid, check the Ingress Protection, (IP). These ratings tell you about the degree of protection against liquids. It’s best to choose a hearing aid that has a high IP rating. This is particularly important if you live in a humid climate. IP ratings follow a scale of one through nine. The higher the rating, the more protection against liquids. There are several different styles of hearing aids to choose from including in the ear, behind the ear and in the canal. Your audiologist can advise you about which type is best for your needs.

Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services

Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services has years of experience in audiology. Here you can access support with all your hearing health needs. Whether it’s an initial hearing test or a new hearing aid, Grusecki Audiology can help. For more info about the full range of audiology services, contact Grusecki Audiology at 623-583-1737.