advice needed re:hearing aids on the playa

[LadyPhoenix]

So, it'll be my seventh burn, but the first with hearing aids. My brother is finally joining us and he too wears hearing aids. I really need to know how to best take care of them while out there with all the dust, sweating and the heat. Do any of you have experience with them at Burning Man?

[theCryptofishist]

Have you tried a search of this board?
If you want to contact the medical folks the email is 911 at Burningman.com

[ej]

I've worn hearing aids all 4 times I've been out to the Burn. I've worn both BTE aids and ITE aids. I haven't had much in the way of problems with either, I haven't had to do a lot to maintain them. When I wore BTE aids, I was a bit more careful to cover them with a bandanna or scarf in the event of a dust-storm. I also made sure there was a relatively dust-free place to place my aids when sleeping. Bringing extra batteries is always a good idea, and backups, just in case (I've never needed my backups, but it never hurts in case they get lost). Also, a clean cloth to clean battery contacts is never a bad idea. Sweat is usually the most annoying problem -- more irritating than anything else, but if the aids fall out when you get sweaty, maybe think of another option, or bring backups if you have them. After the event, I usually take my aids to a professional to clean them fully, and they function fine now.

[Akire]

I have been coming to burning man since 1995. I plan to use hearing aids in the future, but not at burning man. I plan on not listening next time to anything anyone says at all at Burning Man and just going with wherever the flow takes me. Trust me, it is a fun experience.

[unjonharley]

My campmate has hearing aids now for many years.. He will not wear then in the dirt..So I will follow his path.. These are my first hearing aids and they are making me crazy..Some times I would rather hear the voices.

[Toolmaker]

the alkali plays havoc with electronics.. i imagine if you clean them with some alcohol or contact cleaner and keep your head wrapped you'll make out fine. just make sure you clean them well after the event. on a positive note.. it will be a lil easier for you to get some shuteye since you have reduced hearing. i will be needing some myself in the near future as my hearing is going due to my trade.