Fun in the Sun? Protect Your Hearing Aid

Your skin is not the only thing you should protect from the Sun. Did you know that the performance of your hearing aid is affected by temperature and other environmental factors? During the Summer months, take care to protect your hearing device from water, oil, sweat, salt and sand. Popular Summer activities at the beach or the pool can damage or destroy hearing aids by corroding contact points and clogging tubes. Many hearing aids today have a special nano-coating on them to protect against moisture and other heat elements that are harmful to hearing aids. It’s important to remember, however, that even if your hearing aid has a nano-coating, not all nano-coating technology is created equal. Some manufacturers only apply the coating to certain parts of the device. Ideally you want to purchase a hearing aid that is thoroughly coated both inside and out to ensure the highest level of protection. Before taking your hearing aid to the beach or pool, ask yourself these questions:

• Do your hearing aids have nano-coating, and to what level?
• Are the tubes made of materials which are resistant to sweat and moisture?
• Is the receiver protected from substances such as moisture and earwax?
• Is the amplifier sealed in water-proof material?
• Are your hearing aids labeled “water resistant” or “water-proof?” Understand the difference: water resistant hearing aids resist but do not entirely prevent water from penetrating the device

If your hearing aids don’t have nano-coating – or you are looking for an extra level of protection – here are some useful accessories to protect your hearing aids from the elements.

• Sweat bands
• Portable dehumidifier or drying kit
• A portable water-proof safe to protect hearing aids at the beach or pool
• Hearing aid sleeves, which are neoprene covers that slip over your hearing aids and offer protection from dust, sand and water
• Water resistant covers for hearing aids