Summer Humidity Warning
Moisture is one of the most common causes of hearing aid breakdown. Moisture can cause distortion and loss of power, as well as block hearing aid tubing. Moisture is more of a problem in summer because of high humidity, perspiration and air conditioning.
Regular use of a hearing aid de-humidifier (dri-aid) kit will minimize hearing aid problems due to humidity and moisture. These kits are inexpensive, easy-to-use and last indefinitely.
Electric drying appliances that circulate heated air around your hearing aids are also available. Some also use a heat lamp to dry and sanitize your hearing aids overnight.
Please call our office if you don’t have a dri-aid kit. If you already have one – use it regularly!
Swim molds
Summer also means lots of swimming. But for children – or – adults with middle ear ventilation tubes, swimming can be a problem.
The ventilation tubes are used to treat middle ear infections. The tubes are inserted into the eardrum to let air into the middle ear. Unfortunately, the tubes can also let in water during swimming and bathing, and non-sterile water can cause ear infection.
One popular solution is the use of custom-made swim molds to prevent water from entering the ear canal and middle ear. Swim molds are also effective for people with “swimmer’s ears,” a problem of the ear canal itself.
Swim molds come in a variety of colors, including fluorescent, and can be “floatable”. Children have little difficulty learning how to handle them, especially if it means they can keep swimming this summer! Please call our office if you would like more information.