Summer Hearing Aid Tips

Sweat, heat, and fun times on the water. None of these things we associate with summer are great for your hearing aids.

Hearing aids are resilient but heat, water, and sweat can wreak havoc on them. Here are some tips to keep hearing aids in good condition this summer in order to enjoy every moment of summer worry-free. 

Dry hearing aids overnight

Make sure to take out your devices each night. After cleaning, use a dry-aid kit or dehumidifier (we like the Perfect DryLux and DryBoost UV) to help absorb moisture from your hearing aids. By drying your hearing aids each night, you’ll help prevent damage to the microphone and internal elements.

Apply sunscreen carefully

Sunscreen and bug spray can easily damage hearing aids and leave harmful residues. They can also cause skin irritation if you don’t clean the residue off your hearing aids when using either product too. The oils inside sunscreen lotions and sprays are damaging to hearing aids, and if it gets on your devices, it can reduce sound quality and block the microphones. Take extra precaution when applying sunscreen or bug spray. We recommend putting both on first, letting it dry for 30 minutes, then putting your devices on.

Keep hearing aids cool and dry

Hearing aids are tiny, but they pack a lot of technology in those small devices. And because of this, overheating is a major issue in the summer. This can cause older devices with batteries to stop working and negatively impact the performance of your hearing aids. Try to keep your devices cool and dry (occasionally wipe them down if you’re sweaty and use a waterproof storage container that you can keep out of the sun when you take them off to go swim).

Avoid getting hearing aids soaking wet (well, wet)

We know there’s been a trend over the last decade with manufacturers claiming “waterproof” but let us be clear. No hearing aid is 100% waterproof. We do not recommend venturing into the lake, a pool, and especially not the ocean (eek SALT) with your devices on. Take them off or try to avoid sticking your head underwater if you’re spending time on the water this summer season. And if they get wet, immediately open the battery compartment if your device has one, wipe away any moisture, and set the in a dryer immediately. Do not put them into the charger until they are fully dry. If they have issues after doing that, it’s a good idea to contact your audiologist for next steps.

Keep hearing aids clean

You probably are already great about this, but in the summer it’s crucial to keep moisture and debris out of your hearing aids. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any accumulated residue, debris, or liquid. Use your hearing aid cleaning brush to dislodge hard-to-get materials and check your earmolds for wax buildup. Doing this daily is a quick and easy way to keep your devices functioning well and avoid paying for too many repairs and cleanings.

Tip: Sand is the ultimate enemy of hearing aids, so try to avoid handling your devices with sandy hands. Sand particles can get trapped easily and clog up your hearing aids. Wash and wipe your hands off before removing or putting devices back on.