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Waterproof Hearing Aids

Water can cause huge problems for the users of hearing aids, if the air is too humid then excessive earwax can build up on the hearing aid. Even if a tiny amount of water gets inside the casing it can damage the sensitive electronic components, which could be a very costly repair.

Unfortunately you can't buy waterproof hearing aids, this is because sound actually has to enter the device somehow, if it was sealed the sound would be unable to enter.

So what can I do?

Manufacturers are trying to produce hearing aids that are more water resistant, two large producers of hearing aids Rion and Eurion offer water resistant hearing aids.

Rion has a number of different water resistant hearing aids. Quite often when you are working outside you will sweat quite a lot, it's quite easy for this moisture to make its way into your hearing aid. Water resistant hearing aids are therefore perfect for users that work outside, many fire-fighters would use water resistant aids for this reason alone. For more info see http://www.firsthearingaids.com/hearingloss/baby_boomers_hearing_loss.html on baby boomers hearing

If you ever see a hearing aid that's advertised as waterproof, then that's not what they really mean. They may be water resistant, but no hearing aid is completely waterproof.

Keep your hearing aid dry

Water very rarely gets into your ears, and so if you wear a hearing aid that fits completely in the ear canal (CIC) it should be more protected. The inside of your ear is more sheltered than anywhere else.

There are some products such as Dri-Aid which prevents excessive moisture being a problem in your ears.

A protective wrapper such as super seals can be used, these are placed over your hearing aid to prevent water getting insider.

You can do some things to avoid any problems being caused by moisture:

-Use some very thin plastic or tissue to wrap them in, this will absorb the sweat. Just remember not to use too much plastic or tissue as then you may be unable to hear!

-Cut your hair. Long hair makes it much easier for sweat to enter your ears.

-Take a plastic bag with you, some form of food bag. Put the hearing aid inside the bag when you are going to get sweaty, also when you think you might be exposed to water.

There aren't any waterproof hearing aids on the market at the moment, there is however quite a lot of demand for such a product to be made. There is quite a lot of research being done at the moment to try and find a way to waterproof hearing aids, and you can bet your bottom dollar that as soon as they figure it out they'll sell like hot cakes!

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