What Should You Do if Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

If you have ever been caught on the Big Four Bridge or out at Thunder Over Louisville, you know how fast Jeffersonville weather turns. A sudden river storm can catch anyone without warning.

The Ohio Valley humidity alone easily works its way into anything you wear. Add a sudden downpour on top of that, and a soaked hearing aid is a common sight around here. It happens at the fireworks, at a Riverstage concert, or just walking to the car in a summer storm.

A wet hearing aid is not necessarily a ruined one, but what you do in the first few minutes matters more than people realize. Panic usually leads to the wrong move, like reaching for a hair dryer or shaking the device to get water out.

The instinct to just let it dry on its own overnight is not much better either. Knowing the right steps to take right away can be the difference between a quick fix and a trip to buy a new device.

Common Moisture Risks for Hearing Aids

Summers near the Ohio River can be hot, humid and unpredictable. In Jeffersonville, that means your hearing aids may be exposed to moisture even when they never get fully wet. Humid air, sweat and sudden rain can all work their way into the device during a normal day.

Moisture can also come from everyday routines. Washing your face, cooking over a hot stove or spending time outside can leave small amounts of dampness around the microphones and battery compartment. It may not seem like much, but repeated exposure can build up inside the hearing aid.

A shower, pool or heavy downpour can cause more immediate problems. Water inside the casing may affect the battery contacts and other internal parts, leading to weak sound, cutting in and out or a device that will not turn on.

Because moisture damage is not always obvious right away, it helps to think about what your hearing aids have been exposed to during the day.

Immediate Steps for a Wet Hearing Aid

If your hearing aid gets wet, take it out of your ear as soon as you can and turn it off. The sooner you remove the power source, the better the chance of preventing damage inside the device.

Gently wipe the outside with a soft, dry cloth. Do not shake it, use a hair dryer or place it near direct heat, since that can force moisture deeper inside or damage the casing.

If your hearing aid uses disposable batteries, dry your hands before opening the battery door. Remove the battery and leave the compartment open so air can circulate through the device. It helps to do this over a towel or another soft surface in case the hearing aid slips from your hand.

Once the outside is dry and the battery is removed, leave the hearing aid somewhere safe to air out. Do not turn it back on until it has had time to dry completely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Drying Your Hearing Aid

When your device gets wet, it is tempting to look for a fast fix around the house. You might think about grabbing your hair dryer or putting the device near a warm oven.

High heat from these appliances will warp the plastic casing and melt the delicate parts inside. A microwave is even worse because it can destroy the internal electronics instantly. It is much better to let the device dry naturally at room temperature.

Many people believe that burying a wet device in a bowl of raw rice will fix the problem. While rice draws out moisture, it actually creates a whole new set of issues. Fine dust and small starch particles from the grains can easily slip into the microphone ports.

This acoustic dust can clog the tiny openings and permanently ruin the sound quality. Skip the pantry solutions and stick to a clean towel in a well-ventilated room.

How to Safely Dry Your Hearing Aid

Drying a hearing aid properly takes a little time. The important thing is to remove the moisture without adding heat or doing anything that could damage the small parts inside. Trying to rush the process can leave dampness trapped in the casing and create bigger problems later.

There are two safe ways to dry your hearing aid at home:

• Passive air-drying for 24 hours: Open the battery door and leave the hearing aid on a clean, dry towel in a room with good airflow. Give it a full day before putting the battery back in or turning it on.
• Using a hearing aid dehumidifier overnight: Place the open hearing aid in a drying cup or electronic drying box before bed. These products are made to pull moisture from the device using gentle heat or a drying material such as silica gel.
• Check it before turning it back on: Look inside the battery compartment for any signs of moisture. The metal contacts should appear clean and dry, with no droplets, damp spots or discoloration.

Understanding Water-Resistance Ratings for Hearing Aids

Most hearing aids are water-resistant, but that does not mean they are waterproof. The level of protection is usually shown through an IP rating, which tells you how well the device is sealed against dust and moisture.

For example, a hearing aid with an IP68 rating has a high level of protection against both. It should hold up well against sweat, humidity and an occasional splash. It is still not meant to be worn in the shower, pool or any situation where it may stay underwater.

Water resistance can also weaken over time as the device ages or the casing becomes worn. That is why it is still important to dry your hearing aids regularly and avoid unnecessary contact with water, even when they have a strong rating.

Warning Signs of Moisture Damage in Hearing Aids

A hearing aid may seem dry on the outside while moisture is still sitting inside the casing. That can affect the microphones, battery contacts or other small parts that help the device work properly.

Once the hearing aid has had time to dry, listen closely for anything that seems different from normal. Watch for signs like:

• Static, crackling or popping sounds that were not there before
• Voices sounding dull, distant or muffled
• The volume fading in and out during a conversation
• The hearing aid cutting off without warning or failing to turn on
• Moisture near the battery door or small droplets inside the casing

At that point, continuing to turn the device on and off can put more strain on it. A hearing specialist can inspect the hearing aid, dry the internal components and check whether any parts were affected.

Long-Term Moisture Damage to Hearing Aids

A hearing aid may start working again after it dries, but that does not always mean the moisture is completely gone. Small amounts can stay inside the casing and slowly affect the parts over time.

One of the first places moisture can cause trouble is around the battery contacts. Corrosion can build up on the metal and interfere with the connection, which may lead to weak sound, frequent cutting out or trouble turning the device on.

Moisture can also reach the microphones and other internal components. These parts are small and sensitive, so repeated exposure to sweat, humidity or water can gradually affect how well the hearing aid performs.

The damage is not always immediate. A device may seem fine after a splash and begin acting up weeks or months later. Regular drying and careful storage can help reduce that buildup and give your hearing aids a better chance of lasting as long as they should.

Daily Ways to Keep Hearing Aids Away From Water

Hearing aids are easy to forget about once they are part of your routine. That is usually when accidents happen. You step into the shower, lean over the sink or head outside in the rain before remembering they are still in.

A few practical precautions can help:

• Take them out before showering, swimming or washing your face
• Keep the case somewhere dry instead of near the sink or tub
• Put them away before using hairspray, face mist or other spray products
• Check the weather before heading out and carry the case when rain is expected
• Use a sweatband or other protection during workouts or outdoor work
• Keep them out of kitchens, bathrooms and other places where splashes are common

Important Questions About Warranties and Repairs

It is not always easy to know what a hearing aid warranty covers, especially when moisture is involved. Coverage can vary by manufacturer, device and how long you have had it.

Your warranty may include certain repairs or replacement parts, while other types of damage may come with an added cost. Water damage is also handled differently from one plan to another, so it is worth asking before you assume anything is covered.

Talk with your hearing specialist about what applies to your devices. They can help you review the warranty, explain any repair fees and walk you through the options if your hearing aid is not working properly.

Keeping Your Hearing Aid Safe From Water Damage

Getting your hearing aid wet does not have to mean starting over with a new one. What matters most is acting quickly and skipping the shortcuts, like hair dryers or leaving it in a bag of rice overnight. The right first steps can save a device that a wrong move would have ruined.

If you are not sure whether your hearing aid is actually okay after getting wet, do not just wait and see. Conn Hearing in Jeffersonville, IN can check it out and let you know where things stand. Give us a call at (812) 561-2011 before you decide it is time for a replacement.