Assistive Listening Device Technology and Such

Hearing Aid Condoms
By Curtis Dickinson

Hearing Loss Help Company
Copyright © 11/1/2003

Hello readers - Welcome to the greatest consumer-oriented Hearing Assistive Technology Column in the universe. For this column we will compare two types of condoms manufactured for Behind-the-Ear hearing aids. Hearing aid condoms provide a barrier between your hearing aids and all things foreign to them. Following is information to help you better understand the importance of hearing aid condoms:

You have spent a lot of money on your hearing aid purchase and though they may have an average life span of 5 years, this does not mean they are running in top-notch condition during these days, months and years of constant use. Some hearing aids seem to be manufactured very well sealed from moisture while others seem to fritz out at the least sign of moisture. Thus there is no standard manufacturing protocol for preventing moisture from wreaking havoc with your hearing aids. (Waterproof or water-resistant hearing aids are available.)

But let there be no doubt that during use foreign matter (not just moisture) will be collected by your hearing aids. Invisible specs of dust clog the protective screen of the microphone, stick on the battery contacts, degrade the potentiometer of the volume control, make sticky the on/off and telecoil switches. Obvious proof of this is the tubing. All of us have trouble with moisture collecting in the tubing. Assure yourself this is not the only place moisture is wreaking havoc, it occurs in all areas of the hearing aid. Still smaller particles will make their way deep inside the hearing aid onto its circuit board and hasten its normal decomposition. If you have an old hearing aid pull it apart and you will see the green color of corrosion and filmy covering of stickiness.

But you can slow this process down by using condoms. Condoms will help maintain the integrity of the circuitry of your aid and help maintain the good sound you paid for. Regular use of condoms means optimal battery life and extended longevity of your hearing aids past their average five-year span.

Hearing aid condoms are sheaths, shaped like the hearing aid, into which you place your hearing aid. This provides an effective shield against humidity and other air-borne detritus that hearing aids make contact with. They protect from perspiration, dirt, grime, hair spray, bathroom humidity, fluctuating heat and cold such as in a factory, changing atmosphere of nature and nature's multitude of air-borne pollen, dust, and other organic matter.

One style of condom is made of latex rubber. The other is made of water repellant woven cloth. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

The latex ones can be difficult to install at your first attempt because the aid tends to stick to the side of the condom as it is being inserted. An installation tool is provided with the first kit. This tool is just a reverse type pliers to stretch open the condom for easier insertion of the hearing aid.

Another disadvantage is that the hearing aid will squeal if the condom covers the microphone of the hearing aid. Therefore you cannot do that. This means the microphone remains exposed to the elements. So though the volume control and on/off switch and battery compartment are protected the microphone is not. But do not readily discount the advantages these latex condoms provide. These will be discussed.

Now we will discuss cloth condoms. The cloth wicks away the water rather then waterproof the hearing aid as does latex condoms. Though the manufacturer claims no tool is needed to apply these condoms they can be difficult to put on too. (One client requested a tool and we provided the reverse-pliers, which he used with satisfactory results.)

This type can cover the hearing aids microphone without the hearing aid whistling. They are still fragile though so care must be used when inserting the hearing aid into them. They can also be washed a few times and reused. The cloth ones will dry in a hearing aid dryer with the hearing aid still inserted. Not so with the latex condom. But it is strongly recommended to remove the hearing aids from their condoms when placed into a drying device.

Some audiologists pooh-pooh the latex condoms because of their ability to keep in water whereas the cloth ones can wick the moisture away from the hearing aid. This is true. If moisture is already inside the hearing aid a condom won't help. That is why it is imperative that part of your maintenance includes a dryer box at nighttime.

Which type condom best suits your life-style? If you are a snow-sport enthusiast, sailor, boater, and fisherman or will be camping in rainy season the latex ones will be your best bet.

The cloth ones are excellent for every day activities to protect your hearing aids from perspiration and in humid areas. Even if they become saturated with moisture they will still protect your hearing aids to some degree via the wicking process.

The trick to either of these types is to be sure the condoms are properly protecting your hearing aids. This means using the proper size and installing them properly. If they are too big they won’t fully protect the aids and will slip around. If they are too tight they won’t fully cover your aids and may even split or tear.

To measure your hearing aid for it’s proper condom size place a ruler at the bottom of the aid and measure the length up to the curved moon shape plastic.

Both style condoms take a knack for inserting because of their small size and fragility. They can tear or split or get caught on a switch or volume control while inserting the aid. Be cautious when doing this the first few times.

Both type condoms allow you to manipulate the volume controls and telecoil switches through them though the latex ones require more finesse because the latex tend to stick whereas the cloth ones allow freer movement of the switch and volume control.

Bottom Line: Even if your hearing aids seem to operate at maximum efficiency it is most prudent to protect them because any bit of foreign matter will add to the stress of these hearing aids and that will affect how cleanly they amplify sound and perform their magical sound-changing properties.

So, along with a general hearing aid cleaning by your seller every six months, placing them in a drying box each night, use hearing aid condoms during use to keep your hearing aids at their optimal best--save money on repairs.

Manufacturers of condoms:
The VanBent Company manufactures weaved cloth hearing aid condoms. Made in five sizes - Mini (1"), Small (1-1/4"), Medium (1-1/2"), Large (1-3/4") and Ex-Large (2-1/8") - and come in six colors - White, Natural, Light Brown, Medium Brown, Black and Gray.

CONTACT information:
VanB Enterprises
9905 Rock Springs Road
West Valley, New York 14171
Phone: (716) 942-6313
Fax: (716) 942-6319
Website:(Note: Clicking on this link will take you away from the SWC site. Use your "Back" arrow to return to this page of the NL)
http://www.vanbent.com/

Just Bekuz Products Company manufactures the latex hearing aid condoms. They are called Super Seals. Super Seals are available in eight colors and three sizes. Mini, Standard, and Large.

CONTACT information:
Just Bekuz Products Co.
5629 East Tabor Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80104 USA
Phone: 1 (800) 795-5153
Fax: (303) 688-6184
Website:(Note: Clicking on this link will take you away from the SWC site. Use your "Back" arrow to return to this page of the NL)
http://www.justbekuz.com/