Is Hairspray Safe for Hearing Aids? Avoid This Damage
Hairspray is not safe for hearing aids and can cause serious damage to these delicate devices.
You should always remove your hearing aids before using hairspray or cover them completely to prevent chemical damage.
What Hairspray Does to Your Hearing Aids
Think of hairspray like sticky glue when it comes to your hearing aids. The chemicals in most hairsprays create a coating that clogs up the tiny parts inside your device.
Your hearing aid has microphones smaller than a pinhead. When hairspray gets on them, it’s like putting tape over your mouth and trying to talk clearly. The sound becomes muffled or stops completely.
The Microphone Gets Blocked First
I found that microphone damage happens within minutes of hairspray contact. The sticky residue builds up in layers each time you spray.
You might notice your hearing aid sounds quieter than usual. Or voices seem far away even when people are close to you.
Battery Contacts Corrode
Hairspray contains alcohol and other chemicals that eat away at metal parts. Your battery contacts can corrode, making your hearing aid die faster or not work at all.
From what I read, this type of damage often requires professional repair that costs $200 or more.
Types of Damage You’ll See
Surface Buildup
White or clear crusty spots appear on your hearing aid shell. This buildup feels sticky or hard to the touch.
The buildup blocks air vents and sound openings. Your device can’t breathe properly, just like when you have a stuffy nose.
Internal Component Failure
Hairspray seeps into cracks and joints. Once inside, it hardens around circuit boards and wires.
Many experts say this internal damage is often permanent. You can’t just wipe it away once it gets deep inside.
Programming Problems
Your hearing aid’s computer chip can malfunction when chemicals interfere with its circuits. Settings might change randomly or stop working completely.
How to Protect Your Hearing Aids
Remove Them Completely
Take out your hearing aids before you start your hair routine. Put them in their case or on a clean, dry surface away from the bathroom.
Wait at least 15 minutes after spraying before putting them back in. This gives the hairspray time to settle and dry.
Use Protective Covers
If you can’t remove your hearing aids, cover them with plastic wrap or special hearing aid sleeves. Make sure every part is covered completely.
Remove the covers immediately after spraying. Don’t leave plastic on for hours because it traps moisture.
Change Your Hair Routine
Style your hair before putting in your hearing aids each morning. This simple switch prevents most hairspray damage.
Consider using hair products that don’t spray, like gels or creams. They give you control without the airborne chemicals.
What Chemicals Cause the Most Damage
Alcohol-Based Sprays
Most hairsprays contain ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. These dry out rubber seals and make plastic parts brittle over time.
Research shows that repeated alcohol exposure can crack hearing aid casings (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).
Polymer Resins
These create the “hold” in your hairstyle. But they also create permanent bonds with hearing aid surfaces that you can’t wash off with water.
Propellants
The gas that pushes hairspray out of the can carries chemicals deep into small openings. Even a light mist reaches places you didn’t expect.
Signs Your Hearing Aid Has Hairspray Damage
Sound Quality Changes
Voices sound muffled or distorted. High-pitched sounds like birds or phones become hard to hear.
You find yourself turning up the volume more than usual. Or asking people to repeat themselves more often.
Physical Signs
Look for white residue, sticky spots, or crusty buildup on the outside. Check around the microphone and battery door especially.
The battery door might stick or feel rough when you open it. Controls become harder to press or move.
Performance Issues
Your hearing aid turns off randomly. The battery dies much faster than normal, sometimes in just a few hours.
Whistling or feedback happens more often, even when the device fits properly.
Emergency Cleaning Steps
Act Fast
Remove your hearing aid immediately if it gets sprayed. Turn it off and remove the battery right away.
Don’t turn it back on until it’s completely clean and dry. Electricity and chemicals make a bad combination.
Safe Cleaning Methods
Use only tools that came with your hearing aid. Never use water, soap, or household cleaners.
Brush gently with the provided cleaning brush. Work from the inside out to avoid pushing debris deeper.
What NOT to Use
Skip alcohol wipes, even though they seem logical. They can damage the same parts that hairspray does.
Never use cotton swabs or toothpicks. These can push buildup deeper into openings or scratch delicate parts.
When to See a Professional
If cleaning doesn’t restore normal function, contact your audiologist within 24 hours. Quick professional cleaning often saves devices that seem ruined.
Many hearing aid warranties cover professional cleaning. Some even include emergency same-day service.
Prevention Strategies That Actually Work
Morning Routine Changes
Style your hair first thing after your shower. Put in hearing aids after you’re completely done with hair products.
Keep your hearing aid case in the bedroom, not the bathroom. This reminds you to remove them before hair styling.
Alternative Hair Products
Try pump sprays instead of aerosol cans. They give you better control over where the product goes.
Hair powders and texturing pastes work great for volume and hold without any spray at all.
Bathroom Setup
Use a small fan to clear airborne particles faster. Point it away from where you store your hearing aids.
Keep a designated spot for your hearing aids outside the bathroom during hair styling time.
Professional Repair Costs
I researched typical repair costs and found they range from $150 to $400 per device. Microphone replacement alone costs about $200.
Complete internal cleaning by professionals runs $75 to $150. This is much cheaper than replacing damaged parts later.
| Damage Type | Typical Repair Cost | Prevention Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone replacement | $200-$300 | $0 (remove hearing aids) |
| Professional cleaning | $75-$150 | $0 (daily care) |
| Circuit board repair | $300-$400 | $15 (protective covers) |
| Complete replacement | $1,500-$6,000 | $0 (good habits) |
Insurance and Warranty Coverage
What’s Usually Covered
Most hearing aid warranties cover manufacturing defects but not user damage. Chemical damage from hairspray typically falls under user damage.
Some insurance plans cover one professional cleaning per year. Check your benefits before you need emergency service.
What You Pay Out of Pocket
Damage from personal care products is almost always your responsibility. Extended warranties sometimes cover accidents, but read the fine print carefully.
Safe Hair Styling Alternatives
Heat-Based Styling
Blow dryers and curling irons create styles that last without any spray products. Use heat protectant cream instead of finishing spray.
Hot rollers give you volume and curl that holds naturally. No chemicals needed at all.
Product Swaps
Hair wax gives strong hold for short styles. Sea salt spray adds texture without the harsh chemicals in traditional hairspray.
Setting lotion works well for pin curls and vintage styles. It dries without leaving residue that could damage hearing aids.
Long-Term Device Care
Daily Maintenance
Wipe your hearing aids every night with a dry cloth. Check for any residue or buildup before bed.
Store them in a dehumidifier case overnight. This removes moisture and prevents chemical buildup from hardening.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
Use your cleaning tools to check all openings and surfaces. Replace wax guards monthly or when they look clogged.
Bring your devices to your audiologist every three months for professional maintenance. Regular care prevents major problems.
Conclusion
Hairspray and hearing aids don’t mix, but you don’t have to choose between good hair and good hearing. Simple changes to your routine protect your investment and keep your devices working perfectly.
Remember to remove your hearing aids before using any spray products. When that’s not possible, cover them completely and wait for products to settle before uncovering. These small steps prevent expensive repairs and keep you hearing clearly for years to come.
Can I use hairspray if I have behind-the-ear hearing aids?
Behind-the-ear models are actually more vulnerable to hairspray damage because more surface area is exposed. Always remove them or use protective covers during styling.
How long should I wait after spraying to put my hearing aids back in?
Wait at least 15 minutes for aerosol particles to settle completely. If you can still smell the hairspray, wait longer before inserting your devices.
Will my insurance cover hairspray damage to my hearing aids?
Most insurance and warranty plans consider chemical damage from personal care products as user damage, which typically isn’t covered. Prevention is much cheaper than repair.
Can I clean hairspray buildup myself or do I need professional help?
Light surface buildup can often be cleaned with your provided tools, but internal damage requires professional service. When in doubt, contact your audiologist rather than risk further damage.
Are there any hairsprays that are safe for hearing aid users?
No hairspray is completely safe for hearing aids because all contain chemicals that can damage electronic components. Your best protection is always removing or covering your devices during use.
