Your hearing aid went through the washer. Here's what to do right now.
Take a breath. A hearing aid is one of the most valuable things that ends up in a wash cycle,
and the next few minutes give it the best chance. Here's the calm, honest playbook. What to do, what makes it
worse, and when to get it to your audiologist.
Do this in the next few minutes
Get it out and leave it off. Don't turn it on to see if it works. Powering a wet hearing aid is the fastest way to finish it off.
Dry the outside first, gently. A clean, dry cloth. Don't open anything or poke at the microphone ports yet, you'll push water deeper.
Then open the battery door and take the battery out. Once the outside is dry, open the door and remove the battery. Rechargeable, sealed model? You can't remove the battery, just leave it off.
Do NOT put it on the charger or back in the ear. Charging a wet rechargeable aid can short it for good. Wait until it's fully dry.
Get it into a real drying kit. A hearing-aid dryer or dehumidifier (a Dry & Store, Dry Caddy, or the drying jar your audiologist gave you). Cool, dry air only. Not rice, more on that below.
Now the honest part
Rice makes it worse, not better. It's slow, and the starch and dust can work into the tiny microphone ports and receiver. A hearing-aid dehumidifier is what audiologists actually use. Reach for that, not the pantry.
A wash cycle is about the worst thing for a hearing aid. Prolonged water, heat, detergent, and spinning all at once. Some recover after proper drying; many need professional repair. Anyone promising a guaranteed fix is guessing.
It's usually not covered. Most manufacturer warranties and standard insurance don't cover water damage or loss. Check whether you have a loss-and-damage plan, and ask your provider what a repair or replacement runs before you assume the worst.
Speed matters more here than with anything else. The faster it's dry, and the faster it's in front of your hearing care provider, the better the odds. Hours count.
Call your audiologist or hearing care provider, today. If it went through a full cycle, it likely needs
professional drying (a vacuum dry-out) or repair that you can't do at home. Your provider can assess it and, if it's
beyond saving, walk you through repair, loss-and-damage coverage, or replacement. Don't wait for it to "maybe" dry out on its own.
If you're caring for someone else's hearing aids
If you're the one who does the laundry for a parent or partner and their hearing aid went through. This is one of the most
common accidents there is, and it isn't your fault. The device is expensive (often $2,000–$6,000 a pair) and rarely covered,
which is exactly why it's worth acting fast and calling their provider. Dry it right, keep it off, and make the call.
Keep the steps for next time
Get the free one-page Wash Rescue Guide. The exact drying steps for hearing aids, plus what to do for phones, earbuds, and watches. Save it before you need it again.
No spam. We'll also let you know when WashDog launches.
Quick answers
Do hearing aids work after going through the washer?
Sometimes, but a full cycle is one of the hardest things a hearing aid can survive. Dry it correctly, don't power it on, and get it to your provider. Many need professional drying or repair before they'll work again.
Should I use rice?
No. Rice is slow and its starch and dust can get into the ports and receiver. A hearing-aid dryer or dehumidifier is what audiologists recommend.
Is the water damage covered?
Usually not. Most warranties and insurance exclude water and loss. Check for a loss-and-damage plan through your provider or manufacturer, and ask your audiologist about repair options.
Can I speed it up with a hairdryer?
No. Heat can warp the housing and damage the electronics and seals. Cool, dry air and a proper drying kit only.
What about rechargeable models?
They have sealed batteries you can't remove. Leave the aid off, don't put it on the charger while it may be wet, dry it in a dehumidifier, and contact your provider promptly.
A hearing aid is the most expensive thing that quietly ends up in the wash.
It's small, it's easy to leave clipped to a collar or tucked in a pocket, and the person starting the load usually
can't see it in there. Checking by hand works. Right up until the one time it doesn't.
WashDog is that check, made automatic. It's a small device that watches your washer and catches tagged
valuables, and many devices on their own, before the cycle starts.
Green: you're clear
Red ring + a bark: stop, something's still in there
It won't promise to save everything, nothing honestly can. But it catches the mistake before the water does,
on the one item you least want to replace.
We're launching on Kickstarter. Join the list and we'll send you $10 off at launch, plus the free Rescue Guide.