Hearing aids are remarkable devices that stand to benefit an estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults. The clear speech and improved background awareness they offer make navigating the world with hearing loss far more manageable. Given all the benefits they offer, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your devices in good condition. One way to do that is to invest in an electric hearing aid dryer or a drying jar.
Why Do I Need a Dryer?
When water gets into the small parts or casing of your hearing aid, it can damage its delicate components, leading to distorted sound or even stopping it from functioning altogether. Having a dryer on hand prevents an accidental splash or submersion from permanently damaging your hearing aids.
Which Drying Method Is Right for Me?
Each hearing aid drying method works a little differently:
- A drying jar uses small, desiccating beads that draw moisture from your devices, similar to how rice pulls water out of a phone
- Electric dryers use gentle heat, a fan or UV light to evaporate the moisture
Consider the following when selecting your drying method:
- Access to electricity. As the name implies, an electric dryer requires electricity to dry your hearing aids. If you’re going camping and don’t have access to a portable battery to charge or plug in your electric dryer, a drying jar will be a better option.
- Emergency kits. If you’re building an emergency kit, a drying jar is a great addition. Just make sure to replace the beads as they expire. If your emergency kit includes a power source, you can also include an electric dryer.
- Amount of water contact. If you spend a lot of time at the El Segundo Swim Club or enjoy trips to the lake in the summer, it’s a good idea to pack an electric dryer. The electric dryer will be more effective at removing large amounts of moisture, for instance, when you drop your hearing aids in the pool.
- Humidity. If you want a dryer to remove daily moisture in high-humidity environments, a drying jar is a gentler option.
While each drying method has its specialty, you can’t go wrong with either. Many patients choose to grab one of each. For example, you might stock your pool bag with an electric dryer and keep a drying jar on your nightstand for nightly use.
Whether you choose one drying option or both, we’re here to help with water damage. Contact Hearing Systems today if you notice sound distortion or poor battery life following water exposure.