Hi all, I recently replaced my Costco KS9 hearing aids, which I had used for five years, with the Jabra Enhance Pro 30. Since these are rechargeable hearing aids, I now have to put them into the charging case at night, so I can no longer place them in my PerfectDry Lux box while I sleep as I used to. From what I’ve read online, the Jabra 30 charging case itself does not have a drying function.
I’ve been looking into two different drying and UV devices: one is the PerfectDome, made by the same company as PerfectDry, and the other is the Flow-Med Dry-Cap 4.0, which was released this year. I’m more interested in the Dry-Cap 4.0 because it comes with many newer features. However, its design is open, and once the cycle finishes, if I don’t wake up until five hours later to put on my hearing aids, wouldn’t there be a risk of them becoming damp again in a humid environment (I live in Taiwan)? Could anyone give me some advice on this?
Also, since both devices use controlled warm air, I assume they won’t damage the batteries inside the hearing aids, correct?
This is an interesting question.
(1) I previously inquired about this and was informed that rechargeable devices are humidity-resistant (IP68) and do not require a dehumidifier. HAs with replaceable batteries don’t have the same level of sealing.
(2) I have a Phonak dehumidifier, I have used it with my Phonaks: No issues.
(3) My Phonak dehumidifier’s operating temperature (35C) is close to the average high temperature you may find in Taipei.
I remember Taipei well – it’s so hot and humid there.
It looks like I can keep using my PerfectDry Lux. Now I don’t need to use it every night, only when necessary—for example, if I get caught in the rain or forget to take off my hearing aids while showering.
kai520taipei, go ahead and put those Jabra aids in the PerfectDry Lux EVERY night. I use a smaller model with UV sanitizer shown HERE. For years I’ve put both rechargeable and battery aids in this little puppy every night. Drying is key to a hearing aid’s survival, but sanitizing it nightly I think is key to your ear canal’s comfort and health. Just sayin’!
I have to disagree that a dehumidifier is not needed. My dad has custom mold over-the-ear devices. Water has accumulated in the tubing resulting in the aids not working. The moisture is probably coming from him sweating. I bought a dryer from Amazon that is designed to work with the chargers. So, the aids and charger fit in the dryer but moisture STILL collects in the tubes. I even put a decidescent block inside while the unit while the aids charge/dehumidifies. It did not help. Seems the dehumidifier is useless. I ended up using those nano clean things to extract the moisture. The suction bulbs could not get the moisture out.
The Redux Home dryer is too expensive for me. I’m sure it works great, but it can’t charge and dry at the same time. Right now, I’d prefer a product that lets me charge and dry together. Thanks for the suggestion!
As far as I know, sweat is definitely a big issue — even worse than regular moisture, since it contains salt that can damage the coating of hearing aids. A dryer might not completely fix the problem, so it’s best to wipe off the sweat before putting them in the dryer.
Is your dryer the PerfectDome? I’m considering that one too.
Thanks for the link! I have big Breeze Dry&Store, but it’s big, clunky, requires DC plug instead of USB-C and somethat expensive desiccant.
Not to mention it makes 45°C, which is good for sound processors without reachable/disposable battery (unscrewed from the main unit), but not to rechargeable HAs!
I used to have the LARGE Dry ‘n Store UV dryer way back in the day. Big as a coffin … and reminded me of one in an uncomfy way. Glad I found the nimble, travel-friendly DryLUX at Amazon.
After checking with the manufacturer (Signia), I bought a Perfect Dry Lux. I noticed that other manufacturers also sell it.
Thirty-five degrees-C is the maximum temperature for the newer ones, so they are quite safe for the batteries- rechargeable or disposable.
It uses 254 nM UV, which is perfect for killing pathogens- many in less than a second. (Learned this in university) Since the UV part only runs for 5 minutes, the UV light will take years and years to damage the hearing aid’s plastic shell or the silicone parts. Some people sanitize pierced jewelry in them. (Whatever…)
The device is very quiet- so say others who don’t need hearing aids to hear it. (A little fan is inside to circulate the warm air.) The “on” button glows blue dim-to-bright while it is operating. aAfter the cycle ends, the light goes out.
It is about 94 mm wide, 75 mm front-to-rear and 48 mm tall. The device plugs into USB-C and comes with a USB-A power block & an A to C cable.
But..
UV destroys pathogens a “line of sight” method. The light has to “see” the bad guys to nuke them. So, I will run it for five minutes (the UV time) and flip the devices over so the side laying on the floor of the box can see the UV and re-start the cycle. (It has reflective sides & lid. Anything not laying on the floor gets to see the light.)
And…
There are bootlegs on the market (eBay I suppose), so buy from. a trusted seller.
IP rating is standardized short term laboratory test and does not represent actual use. While it’s a good indicator of the level of protection of a newly manufactured product, it cannot be relied upon over the long term. An alternative to a drybox is to charge your HAs with a dessicant. There are chargers that have these built-in but I often save the little packages that come with things I buy. Caution: Do Not Eat.
I worked in the mobility industry for many years, and certification isn’t just a short-term lab test as you say. It’s a lengthy, complex process involving the manufacturer(s) plus an independent third-party laboratory and strict adherence to the IEC 60529 rules and procedures.
I agree that this isn’t a lifetime guarantee, but it’s covered for the duration specified by the manufacturer, just like any other part of the device.
As long as the dehumidifier’s operating temperature stays within the device’s specified range, it will not cause any issues. Phonak has developed dehumidifiers (D-Dry for example) that are certified to work with their devices
