Nothing says “summer” quite like going to the pool on a super-hot day. If you wear hearing aids, your pool bag might include a few more items besides towels and sunscreen. Here’s our expert guide on how to enjoy your pool day with hearing aids.
Remove Them Before Swimming
You probably already know that water exposure is bad for your hearing aids. Water exposure can cause serious damage to the internal components, the battery and the microphone. Therefore, it’s critical that you take your hearing aids out before you dive into the water. If you forget to take them out and realize after you’ve gotten wet, remove them immediately.
Store Them Safely
Now that you’ve taken your hearing aids out, don’t just put them anywhere. Leaving them exposed in direct sunlight or in a hot car can also cause significant damage. Instead, tuck them safely into a hearing aid case and store the case somewhere shady and safe, like in your pool bag or a locker.
Communicate Your Needs
For your safety, inform the lifeguard that you have hearing loss. That way, if they need to get involved at any point, they know that they need to use alternative communication techniques to get your attention. Ask for visual cues, such as waving or using flags.
Dry Your Ears Completely
When it’s time to get out of the pool, wait until your ears are dry before reinserting your hearing aids. You can towel them off to remove excess moisture.
Water can get trapped in the ear canal, and if you put your hearing aids back in before that water escapes, it can either damage the hearing aid or fester in your ear and develop into an ear infection known aptly as “swimmer’s ear.”
Dry Your Devices
Once you return home, dry your hearing aids, even if you’re confident they didn’t get wet. You can use an electric hearing aid dryer or a desiccant hearing aid drying box to gently lift moisture off your devices.
If Your Hearing Aids Need Repair
If your hearing aids did get wet at the pool and you notice malfunctions or sound quality issues in the days after your pool day, bring them to us immediately for a service and repair appointment. Call today to make an appointment.