 Everyone knows that moisture is the kryptonite to any electronic. What most people may not be sure of is how much humidity an electronic device can handle.
Hearing aids, hearables (Airpods), and other small devices that are worn on our body, can be susceptible to moisture - which can harm the device. The human ear canal is one of the moistest regions of the body. Earwax and moisture can build up and overwhelm your electronics. Hair that surrounds your devices creates an environment that traps more humidity. Have Your Electronics been Overexposed to Humidity? The optimal ambient levels of humidity are 40-60%. This is the level that is ideal for the average human body, and for the majority of electronics. The issue at hand is when your devices are in cooler temperatures than their natural environment, condensation occurs, forming beads of water in them. If you bring an electronic device that was out in the cold and into a warmer setting, let the device adapt to the warmer temperature prior to sticking the plug into an electrical socket and switching it on. Portable devices are generally shielded from condensation, but you can still wait a few minutes before switching the devices on. Humidity in any environment that surpasses 80% for a long period of time can lead to malfunctions for any devices, including hearing aids and hearables. This problem has seen some relief through the use of rechargeable technologies. Battery compartments are an area where moisture thrives. Rechargeable devices eliminate the need to have a battery compartment that must be left open overnight to help the moisture evaporate. The longer you have your device, the more likely it will eventually come in contact with moisture. Use Redux to Eliminate Moisture Redux is one of the latest technologies on hearable dehydration. It only takes 15 minutes for a Redux machine to remove 100% of moisture from one pair of hearing aids or hearables. This machine should be used immediately if your hearing devices have been in direct contact with water. It is also useful in your daily maintenance practices. In thousands of tests, the Redux process has been proven to enhance the performance of hearing aids and hearables in 77% of cases. Moisture can render the circuitry, microphones, and speakers ineffective. Thoroughly drying out the devices, will make the devices function as promised. Not only does regular use of the Redux process help maintain your hearing aids so they work properly each day, but the hearing aids will also have a longer lifespan. Hearing aids typically last for 4-7 years. This depends on what climate you are regularly in, how often you use them (which should be every day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you get ready for bed), and how often you use the streaming feature. Drier climates help hearing aids last longer. Some people’s ears are dryer than others, or they don’t sweat as heavily as some people. No matter how much moisture you or your environment produce, daily use of the Redux process will freshen up your hearing aids. Generally, you’ll notice improvements in their function as soon as you remove them from the machine. Even if your hearing aids are working without any problems, Redux can still help to maintain proper function. Regularly extracting moisture from your devices will reduce the chance of complications in the future. Moisture is a common problem for hearing aids. The Redux process is done in just 15 minutes at Northumberland Hearing Center. Call us today to start hearing better!
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 Everyday sounds - from a person’s voice to an engine sound on a motorcycle - are measured in decibels. They are made up of power, sound pressure, and voltage.
Calculating the Strength of Sound Sound travels through currents of energy. It’s evaluated through amplitude and frequency. Amplitude Amplitude is recorded as decibels (dB), or the measurement of forcefulness or pressure in sound. The higher amount of amplitude there is in a sound, the louder it is. In other words, it’s the volume level. Frequency Frequency is the measurement of sound vibrations every second, and it’s recorded using hertz (Hz). It’s connected to a tone’s low or high sound. For instance, the pitch of a child’s voice is found in the high-frequency range. Hearing loss among the elderly is typically in that frequency range. Decibels Increase Exponentially When decibels increase by 10, that means it’s 10 times louder. When they increase by 20, that means the sound is 100 times louder. Familiar Sounds and their Decibels To the average person, decibel measurements can’t be easily understood unless you regularly use and are familiar with a decibel meter app. Hearing loss can happen after frequent or prolonged exposure to at least 70 dB. The following noises can instantly cause permanent hearing loss after one close-range exposure: 150-160 dB: After a shotgun/firearm goes off 140 dB: A jet engine as it leaves a runway/fireworks 120 dB: Concerts or the siren on an emergency vehicle The following noises can lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) after constant, extensive exposure: 110 dB: Rock concerts 105-130 dB: Sports events (depending on the arena/stadium’s size and style) 105 dB: Using earbuds or headphones to listen to music at the highest volume 100 dB: The engine of a running motorcycle 90 dB: Using electric power tools or a gas-powered lawn mower 80-90 dB: Heavy traffic It’s common for those with untreated mild-to-moderate hearing loss to struggle with hearing these faint sounds: 70 dB: Vacuum cleaner 60 dB: An ordinary conversation with another person 50 dB: A conversation with a group of people 20 dB: Rustling leaves 10 dB: Breathing Decibel Measurement Hearing loss measurement is based on the minimum range of decibels to which a person can listen. Someone with normal, healthy hearing can hear rustling leaves or water dripping from a faucet and into a sink or on the ground (~10 dB). A person who has mild hearing loss cannot hear that sound. Frequency and pitch are other elements of hearing loss. Generally, high-pitched hearing loss is more prevalent than low-pitched hearing loss. Here are some combinations of decibel and frequency loss. 10-20 dB: Normal hearing ability 25-40 dB: Mild hearing loss 40-55 dB: Moderate hearing loss 55-69 dB: Moderately severe hearing loss 70-89 dB: Severe hearing loss 90-120 dB: Profound hearing loss Determining whether Your Surroundings are Too Loud If you find yourself in a space that seems too noisy and are concerned about your hearing, try the following:
Take Precautions, and be Extra Cautious if You Already Experience Hearing Loss. Hearing aid users should be mindful of the noise levels of their environments. Hearing aids amplify sounds, so you are still at risk of noise exposure. You can talk to your hearing instrument specialist about various programmed settings to use on your hearing aids when going to different environments. Hearing aids that are switched off should not be worn to try and protect your hearing. If they do not comfortably fit in your ear canal, they cannot obstruct harmful noise levels when switched off. You just won’t be able to hear sounds that you need/want to hear. For future events that you plan to attend, or loud activities that you plan to participate in, discuss which hearing protection would work best for you at your next hearing appointment. If you are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Northumberland Hearing Center. |
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