You wouldn’t wear your hearing aids in the shower or drop them in a puddle, but believe it or not, just wearing them on the course of an average day will expose them to moisture.

It’s best practice to store your hearing aids in a cool, dry location. Just as with storing your hearing aid batteries somewhere cool and dry, you can extend the lifespan of your hearing aid devices by keeping them protected from moisture.

For many hearing aid owners, this means storing them in a hearing aid dehumidifier nightly or just when not in use.

Everyone who can use one should - here’s what you need to know.

1.Why is moisture bad for hearing aids?
Hearing aids are small electrical devices, not entirely like a cell phone or computer, although they operate slightly differently.

However, they still contain small electrical circuits that can be damaged by exposure to moisture or corrosive agents. Water, for example, can not only cause corrosion but can also short out the circuit, causing the hearing aids to fail.

In addition to moisture from the atmosphere, the moisture and salts in perspiration can damage your hearing aids over time, and the salts can accelerate corrosion which will damage the devices.

Sometimes it’s not the risk of dropping your hearing aids in the pool or getting them wet in the sink that poses a threat, but simply wearing them when you’re out and about on hot days.

Therefore, even on dry days, wax, perspiration, and salt still pose a threat to hearing aids, especially if it is hot out.

Additionally, the hearing aid batteries themselves are not as effective or efficient in humid weather, and protecting them from exposure to moisture can protect them and extend their lifespans, too.

2.Are hearing aid dehumidifiers effective?
Hearing aid dehumidifiers are very effective at protecting hearing aids from moisture-related damage, as well as gently drying them out so that moisture does not accumulate and corrosion is prevented.

Keeping your hearing aids in a dehumidifier at night or when you’re not wearing them can help protect them from moisture-related damage and may also help them last longer.

3.How do hearing aid dehumidifiers work?
Different types of hearing aid dehumidifiers work in different ways, but most of them work using a combination of heat, air circulation, and chemical desiccants to remove moisture from the air in a small container holding the hearing aids, carefully drying them out in a controlled environment.

For example, our Dry and Store DryMax UV Dehumidifier and Sanitizer uses all three of the above methods. The internal compartment is kept at a constant 104 degrees and an internal fan circulates the air. The unit also utilized Dry-Brik Mini Desiccants to absorb and remove moisture once it has evaporated from the hearing aids.

4.What do hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers protect against?
While it is obvious how hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers can be effective at protecting hearing aids from moisture-related damage, some models go a step further.

Even the most basic hearing aid dryers protect hearing aids from atmospheric moisture and sweat, but models like the Dry and Store DryMax UV Dehumidifier and Sanitizer also contain a UVC light that is effective at killing up to 99.9% of common bacteria in a single 90-second cycle.

Therefore, some dehumidifiers not only protect your hearing aids from moisture-related damage but also purge them of potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, lowering the risk of infection and diseases.

5.How often should I use my dryer or dehumidifier?
Really it depends on how often you use your hearing aids and how concerned you are with preventing damage, but many hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers are designed to offer pre-set cycles.

Some of them feature set 8-hour cycles that are ideal for overnight drying. Simply place your hearing aids in the dryer, set them, and take them out the next morning and you’ll be ready to go!

Of course, making it into a nightly routine may help you keep track of the drying process, but that isn’t set in stone. It is a good habit, though.

6.How much does a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier cost?
The price of a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier will vary according to the features and functionality it offers. For example, we offer our DryMax UV Dehumidifier and Sanitizer for $105.95, but we also offer a Phonak D-Dry+ Drying System for $149.90 and another desiccant-powered Hearing Aid Dryer for just $49.99.

Just keep in mind that if you get a hearing aid dryer that is powered by desiccants, you will need to periodically replace the desiccants from time to time too, so it’s helpful to keep some spare ones on hand.

Keeping Your Hearing Aids Dry
The best tip for keeping your hearing aids dry is prevention. Don’t wear them in the shower, keep them away from the pool, and avoid using them in the outdoors when it’s really muggy or rainy if you can help it.

Another tip we can offer you is that you should keep to a drying schedule, whether you dry your hearing aids every night or every other night, or on some other schedule. This will help prevent long-term damage.

Another equally important thing you can do - perhaps even more important - is to routinely clean your hearing aids. The thing about hearing aid dryers and dehumidifiers is that they will help remove moisture, but it is impossible to evaporate oils, salts, and wax. These will be left behind, will trap moisture, and can accelerate moisture.

The bottom line is that while using a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier will help protect your hearing aids, using one on its own does not constitute total hearing aid care. Pick up some of our hearing aid cleaning tools and clean your hearing aids regularly to keep them in top shape.

Contact Us If You Have Questions
Questions about hearing aid care or how else you can help protect your hearing aids against moisture or wax-related damage? Get in touch with us at Sales@LocalBattery.com and we would be happy to help.