Fall is soon upon us, which here on the BC coast will eventually mean….more rain. One of the most common repairs in the hearing aid world is damage from moisture. Whether it’s from rain, humidity, sweat or the fumble and drop into a sink full of water – moisture is the enemy of hearing aids. There have been water proof hearing aids over the years, but the sound quality of the hearing aids has generally been reported to be not very good. Most hearing aid companies now provide a ‘moisture coat’ on the aids which is aimed at repelling moisture but for some people this is simply not good enough.
So, here are some products that have put a little extra thought into moisture concerns….
Phonak Naida (Behind-the-ear hearing aids). These aids are moisture resistant not water proof but they are working quite well with most moisture demands. These come in an SP version (#13 battery) for mild to moderately-severe losses and a UP version (#675 battery) for severe to profound losses. They also come in 3 different technology levels.
Siemens Aquaris (Behind-the-ear hearing aid): This aid is waterproof and you can actually swim with the hearing aid (they are not intended for diving deep in water or remaining submerged for extended periods). It is designed for up to moderate hearing losses. The aid requires new seals each year which requires the aid to be sent in for repair. Great idea for active lifestyles and for people working outside.
Starkey S Series IQ hearing aids: Starkey uses a proprietary moisture protection system called Advanced HydraSheild to make the aids 100% moisture resistant to water, humidity, perspiration and corrosion. So you can swim some laps, then remove the batteries, put the aids in a dri aid kit and you’re good to go again. S Series IQ comes in range of styles and technology levels. These aids are designed for mild to severe losses.
2 comments:
Great summary. I heard the Aquaris has worked very well for people, espec kids, who do a lot of water activities. Isn't there some extra maintenance required with the Aquaris though?
Yes, the Aquaris does need extra yearly maintenance and there is a fee for this service. The seals that protect the hearing aids from moisture need to replaced each year. This means that the aids would need to be sent away for repair and back-up aids or loaner aids would be required during this time. However for active individuals or individuals experiencing significant down-time or on-going repairs for moisture - these aids are a great option.
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