fbpx

Will it damage my hearing aid if I get it wet?

Many patients soon become so used to wearing their hearing devices that they forget to take them out. While more and more hearing aids are designed to be water resistant, only a select few devices are considered waterproof—and prolonged exposure to moisture can permanently damage your device.

What Can I Do If My Hearing Aid Gets Wet?

You should always remove your hearing aids before any activities that can immerse your device in water, such as bathing, showering, or swimming. However, if you accidentally jumped into the pool or spent a long time out in the rain while wearing your hearing aid, there are a few things you can do to safely dry out the device:

  • Turn it off. Remove the casing from the wet device and remove the batteries (wet batteries will continue to damage the device if left in place).
  • Rinse dirty water. Mud, dirt, and salt water can cause corrosion that will cause problems even after drying. If the device was in unclean or salty water, rinse or wipe it down with clean water before drying.
  • Air dry. The simplest method for drying hearing aids is to leave the casing open and place them on clean paper. Allow them to air-dry for at least 24 hours. It may help to place the hearing aid within six feet of a table lamp or rotating fan.
  • Place in rice. Many people rely on the dehumidifying properties of uncooked rice to absorb the water in wet electronic devices. To do this, place the hearing aid in a sealed container filled with dry rice and leave for 24 hours.

You should never attempt to use high heat to dry a hearing aid. Appliances such as hair dryers, ovens, microwaves, and radiators can do far more damage to a hearing aid than even excess moisture, so always allow a wet device to dry slowly at room temperature.

If you are looking for a device that can be worn swimming or during extreme sporting activities, there are some waterproof devices that can get wet without risk of damage. Visit our Florida office location nearest you to find out more, or call the number on this page to set up an appointment.

Our Locations

Sarasota Office
1901 Floyd Street, 2nd Floor
Sarasota, FL, 34239
(941) 203-4233

Lakewood Ranch Office
8433 Enterprise Circle, Suite 150
Lakewood Ranch, FL, 34202
(941) 548-4227

Venice Office
400 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 260
Venice, FL, 34285
(941) 486-0950