Got Beads?

With Fat Tuesday right around the corner, a must-have component for any parade participant is the quintessential Mardi Gras beads. Similarly, an essential tool every hearing instrument wearer should readily have on hand is their own set of beads.  The beads that I am referring to come packaged in the form of a desiccant. Hearing aids gather moisture from many sources throughout the day including the environment, the patient’s ear canal, cerumen, and perspiration.  Our patients need to be educated and encouraged to protect their investment. One of the most economical ways to remove potentially damaging moisture build-up from hearing instruments may be accomplished with some type of hearing aid dehumidifier.

Just like Mardi Gras beads, hearing aid dehumidifiers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some products may work out better for certain patients.  While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some potential product solutions that may work well with specific patient types:

FOR THE HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARER THAT DOES NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH NEEDING TO PLUG ANYTHING INTO A SOCKET:

A wide variety of non-electric hearing aid dehumidifiers are available including Audiologist’s Choice Ducks or Fish; Westone Hearing Aid Saver (mini or standard); either of the Hal Hen Mini, Super, or Mini Super Dri Aids.

FOR THE HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARER EXPOSED TO HUMID ENVIRONMENTS:

An electronic hearing aid dehumidifier that uses a desiccant and capable of generating heated, moving air is ideal for any user living in extremely humid environments and/or involved in daily activities generating excessive perspiration while wearing hearing instruments. Popular products include the Dry & Store Global II or the Zephyr.

FOR THE HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARER WHO DOESN’T WANT TO DEAL WITH RECHARGING  DESICCANTS:

Several disposable hearing aid dehumidifiers including the Dry Caddy and DRI-EZE have been designed to specifically eliminate the need for periodic recharging or reactivation of desiccants. The desiccant in these products is designed to effectively work a pre-determined period of time after which it is disposed of and replaced with a new desiccant.

FOR THE HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARER WHO TRAVELS A LOT:

Either of the previously mentioned Dry & Store Global II or Zephyr will work well from the perspective that these devices are equipped with a universal AC adapter that can be used worldwide (100-240 volts) with an appropriate plug adapter.  If cords and/or recharging desiccants is out of the question, the Dry Caddy or DRI-EZE are perfect products for the busy traveler.

FOR THE HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARER WHO WANTS SOMETHING PRETTY:

Make no mistake, there are many people out there who want to invest in something that looks pretty. The perfect product in this instance in the Audiologist’s Choice Dry Spot Dehumidifier.

As you can see, there are lots of choices in hearing aid dehumidifiers and there is something out there for every hearing instrument wearer. The key is to get hearing instrument wearers to invest in taking care of their hearing aids so that their hearing aids can take care of them!