Dry & Store Hearing Aid Conditioning System - Dry & Store for Cochlear Implants

Dry & Store Works on Implants Too

Since moisture dampens the responsiveness of microphones and speakers, corrodes battery contacts, and interferes with conductivity of delicate electronics, any device that includes one or more of those components can benefit from Dry & Store conditioning. This includes cochlear implant equipment, (speech processor, headpiece and cable) as well as BAHA implant equipment (processor).

Behind-the ear and in-the-ear devices such as monitors and maskers, as well as ear-level speech processors, can be conditioned in either the Professional model or the Global model. Body-worn processors, however, require more room; the Global meets that need.

"Just wanted to give an update on the tryout of the machine. . .
In one word FANTASTIC!!!
We love this little machine. We noticed a difference in the sound quality right away, got more high frequency and less muffled sounds. Also on my BTE I have almost no itching due to the germicidal lamp." ~ J.L., Hansville WA, implanted 1998

Why would Dry & Store have such an impact on sound quality? If the microphone is saturated with moisture, it can't transmit the full range of sounds to the processor. In particular, it may either distort sound or fail to vibrate in response to the softest, most delicate sounds as well as the high frequency sounds that require very fast vibrations. If the incoming sound is distorted by the microphone, then the whole signal processing is thrown "off-course."

A note about the UV lamp: You will want to place the headpiece in the drying compartment with the magnet side facing up. That's because whatever side faces UP is the side that is sanitized by the germicidal lamp. (The lamp has no reflective value.) You can also arrange the processor in the drying compartment to be sure that it gets the germicidal *dose* on the side that makes the most skin contact.

Body-Worn Processors: A note about conditioning body-worn processors using Dry & Store Global � The tray is shaped to accommodate current production models of body-worn processors; however, for some models it may be necessary to detach the battery pack from the processor in order for the equipment to fit comfortably in the tray and allow for good air circulation. [Inside dimensions are 4" x 3.5" x 1" (102mm x 90mm x 25mm)].

If the BWP, HP and cable do not all fit comfortably inside the tray, then plan on conditioning the microphone every day, and the BWP every couple of days. That's because the microphone is more likely to be subjected to more harsh environmental conditions (moisture, in particular) than the body-worn processor. Of course when you know the BWP has been exposed to extreme conditions (for example, dropped in a puddle!), then condition it that day as well.

Ear-Level Processors: BTE's have different considerations. The processor is subject to a lot of moisture on a daily basis, so a BTE should be conditioned daily. Fortunately, space is not a problem for the BTE; the processor, HP and cable all fit comfortably. To facilitate good air circulation, remove the battery cover before conditioning.

Note about the BAHA processor: As with other types of hearing instruments, Dry & Store is recommended for use every night. Place the processor in the drying compartment with the snap side up. This will expose those surfaces to the UV lamp for maximum germicidal effect.