UKC

I wreck hearing aids.

I think it is due to it often getting damp due to sweat & rain.

I'm after any advice about how I could make them last longer?

I've been wearing a hearing aid in my right ear for the past 18 months.

I have moderate to severe hearing loss, although my left ear is fine.

I have a basic aid from the NHS, & it makes a good improvement on my hearing.

I am now on my 2nd one, which sadly may not last much longer.

I wear it all the time when out and about, including cycling, walking & climbing.

If I don't wear it, I really notice the tinnitus, which is very annoying & of course, I hear less.

The aid quickly starts to get mouldy & despite regular cleaning I find it hard to keep the mould at bay.

The hearing clinic have been very good and gave me a new in June as the previous one stopped working.

I suspect that they may be inclined to stop replacing them at the rate of 2 a year.

I have looked at getting a private one, but suspect it will suffer the same fate.

Clearly hearing aids are delicate devices that pack some fancy electronics into a tiny space.

Is there a way to stop wrecking hearing aids or are sweaty activities just not compatible with such devices?

Cheers, Ian.

If they lasted any longer, you will eventually lose one if not both! I've lost 3 this year alone!

I'm on my second pair after the first pair malfunctioned but they have lasted really well so far after three or so years.

I wear mine all the time including for walking, climbing and mountain biking and they have had their fair share of sweat and proper rain without incident. I don't use them road biking but that's mainly as I listen to music instead.

Mine are Phonax NHS jobs. The audiologist who set them up told me I didn't need to be too precious with them so I haven't.

I wear Phonak ones.  I've not noticed a problem at all, including road cycling in very, very hot and humid places (26C at 3:30 am).

As far as losing them is concerned, mine have an extra little plastic loop for the in-ear bit that secures them a bit more, but if climbing I hold them in place with a bit of micropore tape (usually ask someone to do it for me as i seem to lack the spatial awareness to do it myself!)

I have a pair of NHS Oticon ones, and have a little grey case to carry them in. I don't tend to wear them climbing as most of my partners know to shout/be a bit louder and I feel they get in the way a bit especially if wearing a helmet. I haven't broken a pair yet but have had them get wet from rain and sweat like yourself. My solution to keep them dry and free of mould was to put a couple of packets of silica gel in the grey carry case - something you could try perhaps? Regularly cleaning the in-ear tubes is never a bad idea either as I imagine they can pass warm air from the ear into the aid.

Many thanks for the comments & advice.

I think I need to clean it more often, get a case & accept that I may wreck it occasionally.

At least the NHS still provide a free aid. In many health systems such things are only obtainable privately and they are very expensive.