Hearing aids are the solution for up to 95 percent of hearing loss cases. Far from the awkward devices of the past, the new generation of hearing aids are getting smaller and sleeker while gaining advanced features, better sound quality and greater durability. Unfortunately, there’s one thing they still have in common with their predecessors: susceptibility to moisture and earwax.

These two natural hazards can wreak havoc on your expensive hearing instruments, but the good news is that moisture and earwax-related hearing aid repairs can be avoided.

Avoiding moisture

Any device with electronic parts need to be kept from moisture. Due to their placement in the ears, hearing aids are exposed to many sources of moisture in the course of a day. The biggest culprits are perspiration, the environment, bathing and water sports. Even waterproof and water-resistant hearing aids need to be guarded against excess moisture to avoid costly repairs.

Follow these tips: 

  • Control perspiration. Wear a breathable sweatband during exercise and outdoor activities and keep your hair away from your ears.
  • Avoid environmental moisture. Wear a hat, carry an umbrella, and run the de-humidifier in your house during especially humid weather.
  • Always remove and place your hearing aids in a dry location before bathing. Even if you don’t plan to get your head wet, wearing hearing aids during a bath or shower is asking for trouble.
  • Consider going without hearing aids during water sports. Depending on the frequency of these sports, you may be fine with high-quality waterproof hearing aids, but consider going without them if it’s only a short time.

Most importantly, dry your hearing aids nightly with a dehumidifier or drying case, take out the batteries to allow moisture to evaporate, and store them in a dry, ventilated case.

Avoiding earwax 

Earwax buildup is the source of many common hearing aid problems audiologists encounter, especially poor sound quality. Issues like feedback can tax the electronic components of your hearing aids and cause them to wear out faster. Here are a few ways to avoid hearing aid repairs caused by earwax:

  • Clean your hearing aids daily with approved tools. Daily cleaning with a hearing aid cleaning kit will keep earwax from getting into its cracks and crevices. If you don’t have a kit, you can purchase one from your audiologist.
  • Keep your ears clean. You may only need to gently wipe your ears after a shower, but consistency is key. If you tend to produce excess earwax, use gentle homemade or over-the-counter drops and schedule periodic professional cleanings with your audiologist.

Some repairs may be inevitable, but by controlling moisture and earwax, you’ll avoid two of their most frequent causes and keep your hearing aids working great for years to come.