Investing in better hearing is a smart decision, and it is important to protect that investment through proper care of your hearing aids.
The second most important thing you can do after purchasing a hearing aid is to get a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier.
A hearing aid dryer, or dehumidifier, will ensure that your hearing aids work their best, can extend the lifespan of your hearing aids, and decrease the need for repairs. Moisture is a big problem with hearing aids and can lead to costly repairs and malfunction by corroding or degrading the delicate electronic components inside the device.
Our #1 Pick
#1 Electronic Kapak Ultra Violet C
Types of hearing aid dryers
There are two main types of hearing aid dryers:
- Electronic dryers utilize a power source, often a universal AC adapter. The drying source can vary from heat, fan, or desiccant.
- Non-electronic utilize a desiccant or gel to absorb moisture.
To help you choose which is right for you, check out our hearing aid dryer comparisons below.
4 best electronic hearing aid dryers
The electronic dryers usually have more features built in to them, such as disinfectants, deodorizers, and timers. They are more expensive than the non-electronic dryers, but typically run less than $100.00.
#1 Electronic Kapak Ultra Violet C
Our top pick offers a premium cleaning experience, making sure your hearing aids get the treatment they deserve.
- USB option for portable drying
- Safe and durable casing
- Automatic switch-off when drying is finished
Summary
The Electronic Kapak Ultra Violet C is one of the best hearing aid dryers on the market. It dries well, is very energy efficient, and has portable USB capabilities. The reviews are widely positive, citing the ease of use and how well the product keeps a pair of hearing aids clean and dry.
The negative reviews are mostly based on individual faults rather than widespread problems with the product.
Show more
#2 Truedio Automatic Hearing Aid Dryer & Dehumidifier
A solid choice almost as good as our number one pick - it's just a bit pricier.
- Double UV light
- One-touch operation system
- Comes with free towelettes
Summary
All the good points mentioned above with the Electronic Kapak Ultra Violet C are back in full force for the Truedio Automatic Hearing Aid Dryer & Dehumidifier. It takes just as long to dry hearing aids, and the reviews are all satisfied.
The only setbacks are that it's just a bit pricier, as well as being less portable.
Show more
#3 Global II by Dry & Store
A dryer with more room for hearing aids - ideal for a couple who both use hearing aids. It's a fair amount more expensive, however, and takes longer to dry.
- Larger compartment for more hearing aids
- Single button usage
- Easily portable
Summary
The Global II is a great pick for any house with more than one pair of hearing aids. It has a large drying compartment, so can fit two pairs of hearing aids. It receives rave reviews, and any complaints are minor.
It does have a high price point, however, and drying is less rapid than it would be with our previous picks.
Show more
#4 Dry Dome
The Dry Dome is a simple portable hearing aid dryer for anyone on the move.
- Generous 2 year warranty
- Easy micro-USB connector
- Compact size great for travel
Summary
The Dry Dome is a great little dryer for anyone on the move. It carries a charge and by all accounts does a good job of cleaning and drying hearing aids.
You'll want to be careful throwing it into any old bag, however, as there have been a couple reviews of it being easy to break.
Show more
2 best non-electronic hearing aid dryers
The non-electronic hearing aid dryers are usually called dehumidifiers and are very inexpensive. They are either disposable or can be reactivated for continued use without the need for electricity, making them great for travel.
Dry Caddy Dry Aid Kit
The Dry Caddy gives you 1-year of moisture protection in an easy-to-use jar.
- Entirely safe
- Easy to carry around
- Comes with a complete set of dehumidifying equipment
- Excellent at quick dehumidification
- Very easy to use
- Absorbs odor and moisture
Summary
The Dry Caddy is a non-electric solution for hearing aid dehumidification. If you're on a road trip, camping, or anywhere away from electricity, this is a good option for those looking to refresh their hearing aids.
Show more
#6 Acu-Life Dri-Eze
The Acu-Life Dri-Eze uses a desiccant lining for moisture control.
- Electricity free
- Entirely safe
- Easy to use
- Disposable after six months
Summary
Just like our last non-electric drier, the Dri-Eze is a great alternative to a drying case. It's a great pick for a traveller or someone worried about running out of batteries. It'll just need to be replenished every now and then.
Show more
4 tips for using a hearing aid dryer or dehumidifier
Once you have chosen the hearing aid dryer that works best for you and your lifestyle, there are some important things to consider to make the most out of the dryer and protect your hearing aids:
- Use your dryer every night. This may be difficult if you also have rechargeable hearing aids that need to be placed in their charger overnight. If you have rechargeable hearing aids you will want to consider a dryer with a short drying time, such as the Quest PerfectDry LUX or the AudioDry DryVue so that you can both charge the battery and use the dryer in a short time.
- Leave the battery door open on your hearing aids while using the dryer so that air can circulate throughout the battery compartment of the hearing aid. You can leave the batteries inside the hearing aid.
- Replace the desiccants or dispose of your dryer when indicated. An expired dryer or desiccant brick is worthless once it's moisture-removing power has expired. This will need to be monitored on all the non-electronic dryers and the Dry and Store Global II dryer which utilizes desiccant bricks. It is helpful to write the expiration date on the device itself or on your calendar as a reminder.
- Use your dryer immediately after your hearing aids are exposed to any significant water, such as if you were to accidentally get in the shower with them on. Let them go through at least one drying cycle after the water event and replace the batteries.
No matter how careful you may be about keeping your hearing aids away from water, that pesky moisture is lurking everywhere and can dramatically affect your hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Using one of the hearing aid dryers and following the guidelines above will ensure your devices maintain their reliability and function for you for many more months or even years.
Who needs a hearing aid dryer?
Everyone who owns a hearing aid or a cochlear implant needs a hearing aid dryer!
Think about any electronic device you own in your home. Now imagine if that device was outside, being exposed to the elements every single day. While that may not be the case for your home TV, your hearing aids are exposed to the environment day in and day out (unless you never leave your house).
It is even more important for those people that live near a coast or in a wet or humid climate to use a hearing aid dryer.
Not only that, but the fact that you are wearing the devices on your ears exposes them to the perspiration and oils of your body.
Next steps
If your hearing aid has been damaged due to moisture over time, or if you're in the market for your first hearing aid, you should book a free consultation with a hearing specialist, who can set you up with both a new hearing aid, and a dryer to make sure you'll be able to keep it in top condition.
About our links
Clear Living is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Clear Living to provide free advice and reviews for our readers. It carries no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews.
10 Comments
Clear Living values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy.