If you’ve received a hearing aid, the audiologist likely provided you with proper care instructions to keep it in optimal condition. Yet, one seldom-discussed issue for wearers of hearing devices is the potential impact of certain weather patterns. Specifically, many individuals wonder whether humidity can affect their devices. 

How Does Humidity Impact the Device?

High humidity can impede evaporation. Under dryer circumstances, the sweat you produce evaporates quickly, but on humid days, it may accumulate in or around your device. This condensation can eventually clog your hearing aid’s openings. It may also collect inside the tubing, thereby impacting the device’s frequency response. Eventually, excess moisture buildup could even compromise key mechanisms in your hearing aid, causing components to erode or short-circuit.

What’s the Best Way to Fix It?

Small amounts of moisture are easy to address and shouldn’t cause your hearing aid to stop working completely. You may, however, notice sound fading in and out, distortion, or static and crackling. If you notice these symptoms, troubleshoot for any other issues, such as a dead battery. If you still suspect moisture is the culprit, try putting the hearing aid in the drying device, leaving the battery door open.

To prevent humidity from impacting your device, try to limit exercise to cooler parts of the day during humid weather. If you sweat often, consider wearing a hearing aid sweatband to block out moisture. If your hearing aid is no longer working as it should, speak with an audiologist about getting fit for a device with a higher water-resistance rating.

If you’re in the market for a new hearing aid or seeking repair services for your device, turn to the trusted audiologist at Northwest Alabama Hearing Clinic in Hamilton. Offering individualized service to help individuals find the perfect device to meet their needs, he provides a broad range of hearing aid options. Learn more by visiting his website, or call (205) 952-9944 to speak with an audiologist today.