It’s officially summertime, and that means more people are heading outdoors to enjoy the warm weather. With the summer heat, it’s not uncommon for people to partake in water activities to keep them cool. Unfortunately, for those who wear hearing aids, extra precaution is needed when you are near the water. However, it’s not uncommon for people to forget and jump into the water, only to realize after the fact that they forgot to remove their hearing aids.
Life happens, and sometimes we forgot to look before we take the plunge, but all is not lost. If you accidentally got your hearing aids wet, check out our waterlogged hearing aid tips that can help you get your hearing aids working again.
- When your hearing aid is exposed to water, make sure you remove the hearing aid from the water and take out the battery immediately.
- Take care to get as much water out and off of your hearing aid as possible. To do this, gently shake your hearing aid and dry it lightly with a towel.
- Leave your hearing aid out to dry for a day or two. Make sure you have the battery out, and you leave the battery compartment door open. If you have a hearing aid dehumidifier, use this to dry out your hearing aid.
- Never use an oven or microwave to dry off your hearing aid(s), or other sources of high heat. Otherwise, you risk melting the circuitry inside the hearing aid.
- After a day or two, give your hearing aid(s) a try to see if they work. If they work, great! But if not, don’t just assume that is permanently broken. Call your audiologist to have your hearing aid sent for repair. You may have a warranty that will cover this repair, and even if you are out-of-warranty paying the repair charge is often cheaper than the price of a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your hearing aid gets wet, promptly remove it from the water and take out the battery immediately. This helps prevent further damage by stopping the electrical current and allowing the hearing aid to dry more effectively.
Gently shake your hearing aid to remove excess water and dry it lightly with a towel. Leave it out to dry for a day or two with the battery compartment open and the battery removed. Using a hearing aid dehumidifier can also help speed up the drying process.
No, you should never use ovens, microwaves, or any sources of high heat to dry your hearing aid. High temperatures can melt the internal circuitry, causing permanent damage to the device.
It’s recommended to leave the hearing aid to dry for at least one to two days with the battery removed and compartment door open. This allows moisture to evaporate thoroughly before testing the device again.
If your hearing aid doesn’t work after drying for a couple of days, contact your audiologist for repair options. Your device may be covered under warranty, and repairs often cost less than purchasing a new hearing aid.
Water damage may be covered under your hearing aid's warranty depending on the terms and conditions. It’s best to check with your audiologist or the manufacturer regarding warranty coverage for water damage repairs.
Removing the battery stops electrical flow inside the hearing aid, which prevents short circuits and further damage. It also helps with the drying process, reducing the risk of corrosion inside the device.