Hearing aids can be expensive, so you need to ensure you care for them properly so that they can last a very long time. This means protecting them from water damage or other harmful environmental elements such as dust and snow. Learn more about how to protect your hearing aids and how to clean them.

Can Hearing Aids Handle Water?

Types of Hearing Aids

Receiver-in-the-Ear (RITE)

This hearing aid has a portion that sits behind the ear, but you place the speaker or the receiver inside your ear. You are a good candidate for this hearing aid if your hearing loss is moderate to severe. It is also the best option for those living active lifestyles.  

Behind-the-Ear

You can place the behind-the-ear hearing aid behind your ear so that it may be less visible. The tube behind your ear connects to the earpiece you place inside your ear canal. It is a highly versatile aid for people of all ages and hearing loss.

In-the-Ear (ITE)

This style will be custom-made. It can either fill the entire space inside your ear or just the lower half. They contain two microphones that increase your ability to hear in noisy conditions. It is an option for you if your hearing loss is mild to severe.  

What Are IP Ratings?

Ingress protection (IP) ratings inform you of hearing devices' water resistance and how well they protect against other debris.
For Solids

• 5 = Protects from dust.
• 6 = Provides the tightest protection from dust.

For Moisture

• 6 = Protects against water jets.
• 7 = Allows immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. 
• 8 = Allows long periods of water immersion.

A hearing aid with an ingress protection of IP66 is dust-tight and protects against strong water jets. 

Water Damage: What to Look Out for

Signs of Water Damage in Hearing Aids

Several signs tell you that your hearing aids are damaged, including weak sound quality, fluctuating volume, physical damage, and the inability to perform as they had in the past. They may also have gotten wet. 

If your hearing devices were underwater longer than they safely could be due to their IP ratings, you may need to have them repaired or replaced. 

Snow, ice, and winter weather also cause damage. The batteries do not fare well in freezing temperatures. Coming in from the cold into drastically higher temperatures creates condensation in your ears, damaging hearing aids.

Preventing Water Damage: Best Practices

By wearing earmuffs, you can keep your ears warm so that the temperature does not drop when you’re in a cold climate. At the end of the day, clean and dry your hearing aids every night. Leave your hearing aid’s battery compartment open so that any moisture can evaporate. You can also wear hearing aid sweat bands to prevent moisture from building up. 

Accessories

Some accessories help protect hearing devices, like storage accessories. You must not leave them on the table unprotected. You can even purchase a waterproof case. Dryers are another worthwhile purchase for when your aids take on water. Wax guards keep ear wax from building up inside your aids.  

What to Do if Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

If the device gets wet, immediately turn it off and take the battery out. Dry it with a soft cloth and then leave it to dry in a warm place for 24 hours. To reduce long-term damage, it is always good practice to clean it daily to prevent any earwax or dirt buildup you may not have noticed.

If you cannot hear well after getting wet, there is static, the controls do not work, or there is corrosion, consult your audiologist. 

Conclusion

You must take good care of your hearing devices and perform regular maintenance to ensure they last as long as possible. If you have any questions about maintaining your hearing aids or would like to get your hearing checked, schedule an appointment for a screening at Beltone South. We can help you care for your hearing aids.