Dangers for Hearing Aids
What are the dangers or increased dangers that hearing aids face in the summertime?- Humidity from increased rain
- Moisture from sweating
- Accidental falls into swimming pools
- Damage or loss during play as formerly house-bound youngsters rush outside
Ways to Protect Hearing Aids
To keep an active child from losing his hearing aid while playing outside, use holding products like Huggie Aids, Critter Clips, or SafenSound. Some parents have also come up with their own creative methods for keeping a child's hearing aids in place.You can protect a hearing aid from rain, sweat, and humidity by using a protective wrapper like Super Seals. Another option is to purchase an extra set of hearing aids that are waterproof or water-resistant. More companies, such as Rion (www.rion.co.jp) and Eurion (www.eurion.ch) are making water-resistant hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Protection Suggestions
In addition, an About.com Deafness visitor who has had the same hearing aids for a long time offers some suggestions. (His hearing aids have endured abuse such as being dunked for 20 minutes on a log flume ride at an amusement park. After spending time in a bag with water-absorbent material, the hearing aids were functional again.)
- To protect against sweat, create a 'wrap' of a paper towel or napkin, just enough to absorb the sweat.
- If you're going to amusement parks, take along a zippered plastic bag to use as a waterproof container for the hearing aids. This will keep them dry on water rides and also enable you to keep them with you during a roller-coaster ride.
- Keeping hair short can help, as longer hair may allow more sweat to enter the hearing aid.
If Your Hearing Aid Does Get Wet
Devices such as a Dri-Aid from Hal-Hen or a Dry and Store are meant for removing moisture from hearing aids. They are not intended for salvaging wet hearing aids. However, I have heard of incidents where people were able to salvage wet hearing aids by using these kits.Additional Hearing Aid Protection Resources
- The Listen-Up Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Moisture page offers many tips, including water-resistant hearing aids, tubing, dehumidifying technology, do-it-yourself drying, and emergency drying advice.
- If Your Child Won't Keep Their Hearing Aids In... - This other Listen-Up page has additional suggestions for parents, from other parents, on ways to keep a child from losing a hearing aid.
Source:
Healthy Hearing: Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid, accessed 06/10/08.
