The delicate technology inside of hearing aids can be damaged easily, and one of the biggest and invisible culprits is humidity. Humidity, or water, can damage hearing aids to the point that they are no longer usable. Even if you take every precaution to avoid having your hearing aids near the shower, pool, or when you wash your face, humidity can still enter your hearing aids. To help prevent moisture from entering hearing aids, it’s important to understand why moisture can damage hearing aids.

What is humidity?

Humidity is tiny water molecules that are floating in the air. When meteorologists reference the percentage of humidity, such as 40%, it means that the air outside has 40% of water vapor compared to what it could hold (100%). The higher the humidity percentage, the more wet things will feel outside. When a person exercises and the body heats up and begins to sweat to help cool the body back down. Electronic devices are also susceptible to humidity, which is why it is crucial to do what you can to prevent your hearing aids from getting wet.

How does humidity affect hearing aids?

When the humidity is too high, your hearing aids will collect condensation. The internal electronics in hearing aids help with noise reduction, anti-feedback, targeted listening programs, digital sound streaming, and many other features. When moisture accumulates in your hearing aids due to high humidity, it can break down the delicate electronics inside and cause them and the batteries to break.

How can I prevent high humidity levels from affecting my hearing aids?

If you are researching hearing aids, look for water-resistant ones, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. This will help protect them when you spend time outside during the winter and summer months when humidity is extremely low and high.

During the summer months, when humidity is high, invest in a dehumidifier that will not only help with your hearing aids when you wear them indoors but also your other electronics in your home as well. Dehumidifiers also reduce the risk of mold, mildew, and dust mites in your home.

Invest in a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier. Many hearing aid manufacturers offer these and will help dry your hearing aids out and prevent them from any internal damage. A hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier will help remove moisture daily, and usually only takes a couple of hours. If you don’t want to invest in a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier and your hearing aids have been exposed to a lot of moisture or have accidentally gotten wet, you can try putting your hearing aids in a bag of uncooked rice to help them dry out.

Remember to always store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. If you are interested in finding out more about a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier for your specific hearing aids, contact Sound Hearing Care at 864-881-1663 to schedule a curbside or in-office appointment.

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