Stay Back, Static! Reducing Exposure To Static Electricity When You Have A Hearing Aid Or Implant

If you or a family member has just gotten hearing aids or a cochlear implant, take steps now to reduce static in your environment -- not just staticky sounds in the hearing aid, but static electricity. Static electricity can actually make your hearing aid or implant stop working temporarily. While the device can be reset, sometimes that requires a trip to an audiologist, which can take up precious time during your week. Trying to fully eliminate static electricity can be a near-impossible task, but reducing it is easy if you remember a few key steps.

Watch out for PVC

Friction helps static electricity build up when that friction involves certain materials. PVC plastic, for all its smoothness, is actually a major culprit in generating static electricity. In fact, one of the problems many children encounter is playgrounds with plastic slides -- if the child has a cochlear implant, he or she has to turn the exterior receiver off lest the static electricity generated during a trip down the slide creates too much voltage.

If you your child has a cochlear implant, look for playgrounds that have metal slides. Some newer playgrounds have been installing metal slides rather than plastic ones, because of the voltage issue. Also look for playgrounds with walkways that are not made of plastic.

Cover the Carpet

Carpets can also be an issue in dry weather. There are coatings that you can add to the carpet to reduce static electricity; all you have to do is spray them on according to the manufacturer's directions. You can also use a humidifier to add moisture to the air; this reduces the incidence of static electricity.

Don't Forget the Fabric Softener

Of course, laundry is another static electricity generator. The last thing you need is to drag staticky clothes out of the dryer and find that your hearing aid has stopped working. Instead, add fabric softener or dryer sheets to your laundry to help minimize static buildup between clothes. If you find that some clothes seem to be staticky no matter what you do, try to leave your hearing aid behind in another room, or turn off the receiver portion of your implant, before removing the clothing from the dryer.

If you'd like more tips for reducing your exposure to static electricity, contact an audiology company like AVC Hearing Aid Center. They will have seen all sorts of issues with static electricity and will know of ways to protect yourself and your hearing aid or implant.

Share