Protect Your Hearing Aids: Quick Care Tips for Humidity, Heat, and Sweat

Summer is a time of relaxation, outdoor activities, and increased socializing. It’s also a time of routine protection – sunglasses for our eyes, sunscreen for our skin, and a dose of mosquito repellant to keep itchy bites away. Hearing aids are no different. They are an extension of our ears and need proper protection to keep them in top working order.

Hearing aids are delicate devices that require proper care and maintenance, especially in high temperatures and humid environments. These quick care tips will explain why humidity, heat, and sweat affect hearing aids and how to avoid frustrating malfunctions and expensive repairs.

Whether dealing with auricular heat (heat inside the ear), summer climates, or heart-pumping workouts, here’s how to protect your hearing aids and keep them performing their best.

How Humidity, Heat, and Sweat Can Affect Your Hearing Aids

If hearing aids have a kryptonite, it’s moisture.

These amazing devices help millions of hearing-impaired people experience the rich sounds of the world. But behind those clear sounds are delicate and sophisticated components, including microphones, receivers, amplifiers, and delicate circuitry. Unfortunately, this means that a hearing aid’s tiny, precision electronics are vulnerable to moisture buildup.

Even small amounts of water – whether from sweat, humid air, or condensation—can sneak into the internal parts of a hearing aid, leading to:

• Short circuits and signal interruptions
• Corrosion of electrical components
• Distortion or total loss of sound output
• Battery damage and power failure

There are currently no waterproof hearing aids, but there are water-resistant ones. Beltone’s hearing aids have HPF80 NanoBlock™ technology, giving some protection against moisture.

The Heat is On: How High Temperatures Affect Hearing Aids

Heat exposure can damage hearing aids, too. Most hearing aids are encased in medical-grade plastic designed to be durable. However, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause

• Warping or cracking of the plastic outer shell
• Battery compartment or seal deformities
• Overheating leads to internal component failure
• Battery drain
• Discomfort

Remember, never leave your hearing aids in a hot car, near a heating vent, on a windowsill, or any other heat source. Damage to the outer casing of your hearing aid can also allow moisture buildup on the internal components.

Sweat, Moisture, and the Risk of Infection

When a hearing aid is exposed to excessive sweat and moisture or the moisture gets trapped inside the ear canal and around the hearing aid, it can cause irritation, itchiness, or fungal and bacterial infections like swimmer’s ear (otitis externa¹).

Another issue can come from the ear itself. Ceruminous glands are modified sweat glands located in the ear canal and are responsible for producing earwax. The naturally occurring substance can mix with sweat, moisture, and dirt, which may clog hearing aid ports and microphones, reducing sound quality.

Tips on How You Can Protect Your Hearing Aids

The great news is that there is a lot you can do to protect hearing aids from humidity, heat, and sweat. Follow these easy tips for a carefree summer:

1. Keep It Dry: Why a Hearing Aid Dehumidifier Is Essential

Hearing aid moisture protection is easy now that you know the common pitfalls. One of the best ways to protect your devices is to use a hearing aid dehumidifier as part of your daily routine.

Products like PerfectClean or PerfectDry LUX offer powerful moisture control:

• PerfectClean uses UVC light for disinfection combined with safe electronic cleaning and dehumidifying.
• PerfectDry Lux removes excess moisture using gentle heat and is designed for safe overnight use.

Placing your hearing aids in a dehumidifier each night helps eliminate trapped moisture and extends the life of your devices.

2. Keep It Safe: Where You Store Your Hearing Aids Matters

Proper storage is just as important as proper cleaning. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Don’t store hearing aids in the bathroom—the steam from showers increases moisture exposure.
• Never leave hearing aids in direct sunlight or inside a parked car. Heat can warp the plastic casing and damage internal components.
• Remove the batteries (if your device uses disposables) before long-term storage to prevent battery corrosion.
• Use caution when cooking. Excessive steam or grill smoke and heat can be problematic for the sensitive equipment inside your hearing aid.

Instead, keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place inside a protective case when you aren’t using them.

3. Keep It Clean: Remove Sweat, Wax, and Debris

Sweat, earwax, and dust can damage your hearing aids or reduce sound quality. You can protect hearing aids by using a hearing aid cleaning kit.

The best way to clean hearing aids is to

• Wipe your hearing aids with a soft, dry cloth at the end of each day. The manufacturer usually includes cloths, cleaning brushes, or other tools with cleaning instructions.
• Use PerfectClean cleaning solutions, which are specially formulated to be safe for hearing aids.

4. Keep It Smart: Choose Devices Designed for Moisture and Sweat Resistance

Talk to your Beltone hearing specialist about moisture-resistant or sweatproof hearing aid designs.

Some hearing aids are built with:

• Nano-coating technology for extra moisture protection
• Water-and sweat-resistant seals
• Accessories like hearing aid protective covers or hearing aid sweatbands for physical activities

For example, Beltone offers hearing aids with varying levels of water resistance. Check with your hearing specialist to find the best fit for your environment and lifestyle.

Bonus Tips: Hearing Aid Sweat Protection in Hot Weather

• Use moisture-wicking headbands or hearing aid sweat covers during workouts.
• Give your ears and hearing aids a break periodically to allow ventilation.
• After exercising, carefully dry your hearing aids and place them in the dehumidifier.

Why Preventative Hearing Aid Maintenance Matters

Hearing aids are an investment in your health and connection to the world. Taking a few daily precautions helps prevent moisture-related issues, reduces repair costs, and keeps your devices performing their best.

Remember: Consistent clean hearing aids = consistent clear hearing. A small effort each day can ensure your hearing aids continue to enhance your life for years to come.

Footnotes

^1: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8381-swimmers-ear-otitis-externa