What Should You Do if Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

Floating the Rogue River on a hot July day usually means getting splashed at some point, whether you plan on it or not. Southern Oregon summers pull people toward the water constantly, from tubing near Grants Pass to an afternoon at Emigrant Lake outside Ashland.

Sooner or later, that water finds its way past sunscreen and good intentions. If you wear hearing aids, that same water can end up somewhere you don’t want it, whether from a splash, sweat or a sudden storm.

A wet hearing aid usually isn’t a ruined one, but the next few minutes matter. What you do right away often decides whether it bounces back. Reaching for a hair dryer or panicking usually makes things worse instead of better.

A few simple steps – done quickly – and in the right order, give your device its best shot at drying out safely.

Where Hearing Aids Run Into Water

You do not have to drop your hearing aids in a sink or pool for moisture to become a problem. It often happens during normal activities when protecting your devices is the last thing on your mind.

Moisture isn’t just an outdoor problem either. Walk into a steamy bathroom right after someone’s shower and your hearing aids are sitting in warm, damp air. Even washing your face or leaning over the sink can send a few stray droplets their way.

Time around Southern Oregon’s rivers and lakes brings more obvious water risks. A splash from a kayak or boat can reach your ears before you have much time to react. It is also surprisingly easy to forget you are wearing hearing aids before wading into the water or jumping in for a swim.

Even something as simple as cooling off with a garden hose can send water in the wrong direction. Thinking about where moisture shows up helps you know when your hearing aids need a little extra protection.

When a Wet Hearing Aid Starts Acting Strange

Moisture problems in hearing aids don’t always shut a device down completely. A lot of the time, the first signs are subtle enough to write off as a random glitch. Voices might sound muffled, you’ll get a few seconds of static, or the device cuts out and comes back on its own.

You might notice the volume seems a little lower, even though you haven’t changed anything. Maybe you’re replacing batteries sooner, or the buttons aren’t responding quite like they normally do.

One weird moment happens, but if the same thing keeps happening, something is probably going on. A few warning signs are especially common:

• Conversations suddenly sound quieter or muffled.
• Static, buzzing or crackling appears without warning.
• Batteries start draining much faster than usual.
• Sound cuts in and out throughout the day.

What to Do Right After Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

If your hearing aid takes an unexpected splash, resist the urge to immediately test whether it still works. Turning it back on too soon can create more trouble if moisture is still inside.

Start by switching the device off. If it uses disposable batteries, remove the battery and leave the compartment open. This allows trapped moisture to begin escaping while the device is resting.

Next, gently blot the outside with a clean, dry cloth. Just wipe away the water you can see, and steer clear of rubbing around the microphone ports or other small openings. Wiping too hard can actually push moisture deeper into the casing.

Set the hearing aid somewhere dry with decent airflow and let it sit. Slow and simple beats fast and forceful here. Rushing the process tends to cause problems that weren’t even there to begin with.

Drying a Hearing Aid the Right Way

Drying the outside is only half the job. There’s often moisture hiding in places you can’t see, especially around the battery compartment and internal connections. That hidden dampness just needs time to work its way out.

A dry-aid container uses material that pulls moisture out overnight, which handles most of this. Some people go with an electronic dehumidifier instead, depending on their hearing aid model. Either way, check what the manufacturer recommends before picking a method.

Before placing the device inside, wipe the casing with a soft microfiber cloth. Be careful around microphone openings and avoid poking anything into the ports. Small openings are easy to damage when you are trying to clean them quickly.

Facial tissues and toilet paper are not ideal for this job. They can break apart and leave lint behind. Those tiny fibers can collect around openings that are already difficult to clean.

Drying Tricks That Can Ruin a Hearing Aid

A soaked device creates an understandable urge to repair your hearing aids as fast as possible. That is usually when bad advice starts to sound tempting. Some common home remedies can cause more damage than the original water exposure.

Avoid these mistakes:

• Do not use a hair dryer because concentrated heat can damage plastic and internal parts.
• Never place a hearing aid in an oven or microwave.
• Skip the bowl of uncooked rice because dust and starch can enter small openings.
• Do not shake the device vigorously because that can move water deeper inside.

A slower drying method is much safer. Give the hearing aid time, use a recommended drying system and avoid adding heat or debris while it recovers.

How Long Should You Wait Before Turning It Back On?

A hearing aid can look totally dry way before the moisture inside actually clears out. Tiny droplets can stick around near internal parts even when the outside feels fine. Turn it back on too soon and you risk sending electricity through damp components, which can cause even more damage.

How long you should wait depends on the device and the drying method you’re using. Air drying usually takes longer than a drying system made specifically for hearing aids. If you’re using a dehumidifier or drying box, just follow the instructions that came with your model.

Leaving the hearing aid powered off overnight is often a sensible precaution after moisture exposure. When in doubt, give the device more time rather than rushing the process.

When a Glitch Points to Something More Serious

A little static after moisture exposure does not automatically mean your hearing aid is permanently damaged. Dampness around the microphone or receiver can temporarily change how sound comes through.

Lasting damage tends to stick around after the moisture is gone. Buzzing, severe distortion, rapid battery drain or controls that stop responding deserve more attention. Visible corrosion around battery contacts is another warning sign that water reached sensitive internal parts.

If the same problems continue after a complete drying cycle, the issue is probably no longer just surface moisture. Something inside the device may need professional attention. Repeated glitches are especially worth checking if they keep returning after the hearing aid seems dry.

When a Wet Hearing Aid Needs Professional Attention

Home drying works well for minor moisture exposure, but it has limits. Water can reach areas you cannot inspect or clean without opening the device. If your hearing aid remains silent or distorted after drying, an audiologist can take a closer look.

Professional equipment can also reach places that home drying systems cannot. Depending on the problem, the device may need deeper drying, cleaning or replacement of a damaged component. An audiologist can also check for corrosion, blocked openings or problems with internal connections.

An appointment is especially worthwhile when the same issue keeps returning. Repeated failures often point to something more than leftover surface moisture. Getting it checked gives you a better sense of whether the device needs repair or more drying time.

Simple Ways to Keep Moisture Away From Hearing Aids

Most moisture problems are easier to prevent than repair. A few small habits can reduce how often your hearing aids end up near water or damp air. Building those habits into your routine also makes them easier to remember.

• Remove hearing aids before showering, swimming, washing your face or using water around your head.
• Keep them in a protective case instead of setting them beside sinks, tubs or damp towels.
• Wipe the casing with a dry cloth after sweaty or humid days.
• Store devices somewhere dry overnight and follow the manufacturer’s drying recommendations.
• Make sure your hands are clean and dry before adjusting or removing your hearing aids.

Keeping Your Hearing Aids Safe From Water Damage

A wet hearing aid doesn’t have to mean the end of it, especially if you catch it early and dry it out the right way. If you’ve tried that and something still seems off, static, muffled sound or a device that won’t power back on, that’s when it’s time to bring it in.

Roseburg Audiology Center can take a closer look and get to the bottom of what’s going on. Reach us in Florence, OR at (541) 991-4424 or in Roseburg, OR at (541) 378-4326. Either way, we’re happy to help you get your hearing aids back on track.