How Moisture Affects Hearing Aids

One of the greatest enemies of your hearing aids is moisture—and it can cause a lot of trouble. While hearing aids are built to withstand the rugged environment of your ear, they are still high-level technology that can malfunction if exposed to excess moisture.

Most hearing aids are not fully waterproof, so wearing them in the shower and at the pool is not advised. However, even if you’re taking precautions to avoid wet conditions, moisture from other sources, such as excess sweat after an intense fitness class, can potentially harm your hearing aids.

Below are signs moisture has infiltrated your hearing aids:

• Sound cuts out when there are loud noises.
• Sound fades in regular listening environments.
• You hear a lot of static.
• Sounds are distorted or unclear.
• Your hearing aid stops working completely, even temporarily.

There are several things you can do at home to try to remedy moisture in your hearing aids.

If you have BTE devices, look in the earmold tubing. If you see moisture droplets, you can purchase an earmold puffer to blow the moisture out. You can also have your earmolds fitted with a moisture-dispersing tube.

If you have ITE hearing aids, you can purchase a drying device or dehumidifier. This small investment will protect your valuable health care technology.

Contact your audiologist right away if your hearing aids are still malfunctioning after trying these methods.