Question
I am working with a 17 year old who plays hockey and would like to wear his hearing aids on the ice. Can you advise on how best to manage moisture and potential for damage
Answer
Potential hearing aid damage due to moisture may be managed with several products. For example, Super Seals™ are cosmetically appealing, thin latex covers that protect BTE instruments from moisture and dust. This product may be used in many situations where moisture is a concern, however, in the case of your young hockey player, a more appropriate product may be the Hearing Aid Sweat Band. The Hearing Aid Sweat Band, which resembles a small sock, is worn over a BTE instrument, however, unlike the latex cover, the Hearing Aid Sweat Band's specially designed, mesh-like fabric not only repels and absorbs moisture, but also lets the hearing aid breathe, allowing for residual moisture to evaporate from the hearing aid instrument. Since your patient will be wearing a helmet while playing hockey, the cosmetic appeal of the Hearing Aid Sweat Band should not be an issue.
Finally, all hearing aid wearers should supplement their hearing aid care routine with hearing aid dehumidifying products such as Audiologist's Choice® Hearing Aid Dehumidifier, other Dri Aid Kits, or more sophisticated systems such as the Dry & Store. Since moisture is a common cause for hearing aid instrument damage and/or repair, instilling the importance of this practice to your patient base will ultimately lead to happier patients and customers.
Bob Kemp is CEO and A.U. Bankaitis, PhD, FAAA is VP of Business Development at Oaktree Products, Inc. in Chesterfield, MO, a resource for hearing health care professionals.
