Hearing aids are extremely useful devices and can dramatically improve a person’s ability to hear if they have hearing loss. However, hearing aids are also small electrical devices, and can be subject to damage if they are not treated with care. There are many different ways that hearing aids can be damaged, and they are not cheap to repair or replace. So, it is good to know which activities to avoid when you are wearing hearing aids. Avoiding these activities can help you to prevent hearing aid damage.

1. Swimming

Unless you have hearing aids that are specifically designed to be waterproof, you should never wear your hearing aids when you are swimming. Wearing hearing aids during a swimming session can cause extensive damage to them, and in many cases, can actually destroy them completely. So, best to take them out before you dive in the pool or the ocean.

2. Doing intense exercise

If you are going to do something like play football, then you may want to consider removing your hearing aids first. Not only can physical contact damage your hearing aids, but the increased perspiration that often happens during these activities can damage your hearing aids too. So, it is best to remove your hearing aids before jumping onto the rugby field.

3. Showering

Showering is another way that your hearing aids can get exposed to water. The last thing you want is to accidentally damage your hearing aids by getting them wet in the shower. Most hearing aids simply do not do well with liquids. This is because liquid can seep into the devices and can damage the machinery inside the hearing aids. So, always remove your hearing aids before showering.

4. Going outside in the rain

Like showering and going swimming, going outside in the rain can also cause damage to your hearing aids. This is especially true in downpours. Make sure to keep a hat or umbrella with you to keep your delicate devices from getting wet.

If you’re concerned something you do or participate in may not be good for your hearing aids, schedule an appointment with your audiologist to discuss what preventative measures can be taken to keep them in optimal shape. Additionally, visit your audiologist periodically to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned and examined.