Tips to Care for Your Equipment this Summer

Copy Credit: Tess Wirt, Audiologist 

Summer is in full swing, so we thought it was a great time to go over tips on how to care for your equipment. It’s important to know how to care for your child’s hearing devices when they are exposed to different summer elements, like:

• Sand
• Dirt
• Sweat
• Sunscreen
• Pool Water
• Ocean Water

Good news! Most hearing aids and cochlear implants are now very dust—and water-resistant! Depending on the make and model, there are different levels of protection based on the IP ratings for dust and moisture.

So that means your little one can splash in the baby pool, run through the sprinkler, and dig in the sand, all while benefiting from valuable listening and spoken language experiences!

Common Pediatric Equipment

• Phonak Sky Marvel and Sky Lumity = IP68
  • Dust tight
  • Watertight for prolonged submersion
• Oticon Opn= IP68
  • Dust tight
  • Watertight for prolonged submersion
  • Note: You must use the standard battery door, not the FM-compatible door.
• Cochlear Nucleus 7 = IP57
  • Watertight for sweat, rain, splashes of water, and short submersion
• Cochlear Nucleus 8 = IP68
  • Dust tight
  • Watertight for prolonged submersion
  • IP68 with AquaPlus kit (dust-tight, watertight for prolonged submersion)
    • Aqua kit should be used when participating in prolonged water activities
  • Cochlear Kanso 2 with or without Aqua = IP68
    • Dust tight
    • Watertight for prolonged submersion
  • Advanced Bionics Sky Marvel CI = IP57
    • Dust protected
    • Watertight for sweat, rain, splashes of water, and short submersion
  • Advanced Bionics Sky Marvel CI w/ M waterproof battery, headpiece, and cable = IP68
    • Dust tight
    • Watertight for prolonged submersion
  • Med-EL Sonnet 2 = IP54
    • Dust protected
    • Protected against splashing water
  • Med-EL Sonnet 2 with water wear = IP68
    • Dust tight
    • Watertight for prolonged submersion

Note: Phonak hearing aids can be worn in the rain but should not be fully submerged in water or used when taking a shower, swimming or other water activities. These hearing aids should never be exposed to chlorinated water, soap, salt water or other liquids with a chemical content

Tips for Cochlear Implant Users

• Cochlear’s N7/N8 Aqua+ Kit:
  • ONLY use with rechargeable batteries
  • Can leave earhook ON
  • Silicon sleeves can be used up to 50 times
  • Needs to be used with blue Aqua+ coil
  • Can be submerged for up to 2 hours
  • When done using:
    • Rinse KIT in freshwater
    • Dry with a soft cloth before removing the processor
    • Place Aqua+ sleeve and Aqua+ coil in dry aid overnight

• • Advanced Bionics M Waterproof Battery:
    • Be sure to keep the battery charged
    • Need to remove cable/coil, battery, and t-mic/earhook before using
    • Needs to be used with slim HP Aqua Mic
      • Switch to off-ear program
    • When finished using:
      • Rinse with fresh water
      • Inspect o-ring (needs to be replaced periodically)

Tips for Hearing Aid Users

• Hearing aids using disposable zinc-air batteries will not work underwater.
• Remember, if your child’s hearing aid has an FM-compatible battery door on, this reduces the IP rating!
• If a hearing aid/cochlear implant does get very wet or dirty for a prolonged period and you’re concerned, here are some cautionary steps to follow:
  • Remove any surface water with a soft, dry cloth or towel
  • Take out the battery and check inside the battery door for moisture
  • Remove the earmold and blow any water droplets out of the tubing
  • Leave the hearing aids in a warm, dry place to dry out for about an hour
  • Insert a fresh battery
  • Do a listening check
• Some common signs of moisture problems in hearing aids include the following. If any of these issues occur after the equipment has dried, contact your audiologist.
  • Sound cutting in and out or fading after startup
  • Static or distorted sound quality
  • Crackling sound
  • Intermittencies

Have questions? Contact us!

For increased protection from the elements and to keep the equipment secured to your child, consider investing in Ear Gear or another type of cover that could help to prevent loss and damage.

If you have additional questions about maintaining your child’s equipment, please reach out to us! Taking good care of your child’s equipment is important to maintain its quality and longevity. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!