What to do if Your Hearing Aid Gets Wet

Submerging your hearing aid in water is clearly a bad idea unless it is entirely waterproof, says an expert of an ear machine center in Kolkata. Maybe you thought that wading in knee-deep water wouldn't be a problem, or maybe you completely forgot about your ear machine in your excitement to jump into the coolness of a crystal-clear pool. Regardless of how the scenario unfolded, the end result is the same: a wet hearing aid. 

If you have accidentally dunked your ear machine in the water, try these tips provided by a well-known audiologist immediately afterward. These crucial steps could save your hearing aids from getting completely irreparable. So before you throw in your beach towel and prepare for a walk of shame to your hearing health professional's clinic, try these tips:

1. Remove and turn off the hearing aid as soon as possible

If the hearing aid has stopped working due to the water exposure, removal is the next logical step, says the expert of hearing loss treatment in Kolkata. The tricky part is that it may not stop working immediately, so you may be tempted to assume that everything will be fine. The quicker you react to an accidental dunking, the more likely it is that you will be able to save the ear machine from the damaging effects of moisture, so don't think – act.

2. Take out the battery

Remove the battery as soon as you remove the hearing aid and leave the compartment door open. The current battery will be useless in most cases, so dispose of it and obtain a new one.

3. Remove any dirt, sand, or surface water

Removing visible moisture and dirt will prevent further damage. If the water it was dunked in was dirty or sandy, you should carefully wipe it to avoid rubbing debris deeper inside it, says the expert of the ear machine clinic in Kolkata.

4. Dry it

If you don't have immediate access to a hearing machine dryer, here are a few alternatives:

• Place it on a piece of newspaper in a well-ventilated area

• Position it near a lamp or other (VERY mild) heat source to expedite the drying process

• Store it in a tightly sealed container with uncooked rice 

5. Contact your audiologist

Allowing the hearing aid to dry for up to 48 hours is ideal if you have the time. When the moment of truth arrives, don't be disheartened if it doesn't work. Consult your hearing healthcare professional as soon as possible to see if anything can be done. 

A lot of hearing professionals can repair hearing aids in their offices. If the malfunction is severe, your hearing care provider will probably send your hearing aid to the manufacturer for repair, says the expert of hearing test in Kolkata.