It’s now October, and summer is giving way to fall, and that means there will be a lot more rainy days here in southwestern Idaho. If you’re a hearing aid user, you know that water is a major hazard to your hearing aids, but there’s not much you can do about rain. You may be wondering if you can even wear your hearing aids in the rain.
Can Rain Damage Hearing Aids?
Any amount of water can potentially damage hearing aids. Like any other electrical device, moisture can damage electrical components. Water can cause the batteries to corrode or short-circuit, the tubing to crack and break, and the microphone to malfunction.
In all likelihood, your hearing aids will probably survive a couple of raindrops. If you’re in a light drizzle and will only be outside for a short while—such as walking from your car to the front door—then you’re probably safe. Being in a downpour for an extended period of time, however, may come with real risks. In either case, it’s good to be cautious about contact with water.
How Can I Keep My Hearing Aids Dry in the Rain?
Protect your hearing aids by covering them if you get caught in a storm. A rain jacket with a hood, a wide-brimmed hat, an umbrella or even covering them with your hands will keep most of the water off your ears. It may be a good idea to keep a jacket, hat, or umbrella in your car so you always have one handy in case of rain.
There are also hearing aid accessories available that are designed to keep rain away from your hearing aids. Waterproof hearing aid covers provide extra protection, which can really go the extra mile in a pinch.
If it’s raining really hard and you’re caught without any kind of covering or protection, you can take your hearing aids out and put them back in when you’re someplace dry. This isn’t ideal, as you will have decreased situational awareness and difficulty communicating without your hearing aids in; better to have a contingency jacket.
What Might Indicate Water Damage?
- Decreased sound quality
- Muffled or distorted sound
- Feedback
- Sudden volume changes
- Battery charge not lasting as long or needing to replace batteries sooner
- Corrosion on battery prongs
- Hearing aids dying suddenly
If you notice any of these issues or any other performance concerns after coming in contact with water, call your audiologist right away for a diagnostic and service appointment. Call Southwest Idaho Ear, Nose and Throat to make an appointment.