Summer-Proof Your Hearing Aids: Beating Heat, Humidity, and Sweat

Summer is peak season for two things at our office: vacations and moisture-damaged hearing aids. Heat, humidity, sweat, sunscreen, and pool water are the leading causes of seasonal hearing aid repairs. The good news: a few simple habits will keep your devices working all summer.

We’ve talked before about protecting your ears from loud summer sounds. This post is about protecting the devices themselves.

Moisture is enemy number one

Hearing aids are sophisticated micro-computers. While many modern devices carry water-resistance ratings, none are truly waterproof. Sweat wicks into microphone ports and battery compartments, causing static, intermittent sound, or complete shutdowns. Store your hearing aids in a drying kit or electronic dehumidifier every night during summer. It’s the single best maintenance habit you can build. Not sure which dryer fits your devices? Ask us at your next visit.

Sunscreen, bug spray, and your devices

Lotions and sprays clog microphones and degrade hearing aid casings. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent first, let it dry, wash your hands, and then put your hearing aids in. Never spray anything while wearing them. This includes hairspray and other products.

Swimming and water sports

Remove hearing aids before swimming and store them in a hard case in the shade, never in a hot glove box or on a poolside table. If your hearing aids do get soaked, don’t panic and don’t use a hair dryer. Open the battery door, dry them gently, place them in your dehumidifier, and call us.

Protect your ears, too

Summer noise adds up fast. The CDC notes that sounds above 85 decibels can damage hearing with repeated exposure and a gas mower, a boat engine, or a concert all clear that bar easily.

Mid-year tune-up time

July is the halfway point of the year, which makes it the perfect time for professional maintenance. We’ll deep-clean your devices, replace wax guards and domes, check the fit, and run diagnostics so small problems never become big repairs.

Keep your hearing aids running strong all summer. Call (812) 273-6262 to schedule a clean-and-check at Madison Hearing Health.

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