Hal Hen Super Dri Aid
Hal Hen is an (oddly named) company that supplies many different types of hearing products. Their Super Dri AidTM and Mini Super Dri AidTM are dehumidifiers for your hearing aid.
Moisture is very, very bad news for your hearing aid. Dampness, sweat and humidity will shorten the lifespan of your battery and cause it to corrode. You can cause permanent damage to your aid if you allow excessive moisture to build up inside it; dropping it in water isn’t a good idea either, but I don’t think Dir Aid will help you out there!
Both the Super and Super Mini products are a glass pot, which is about 2/3 full with pellets. These pellets suck the moisture from your hearing aid once you have placed it inside and screwed the lid shut. Always remove the battery before you leave your aid in the pot. The pot contains white and blue pellets, the blue ones will fade to white after repeated use - once this starts to happen, the pellets have become saturated and it is time to dry them out. To do this, you simply empty the pellets onto a dish, cover them with a second dish and put them in the microwave for a short time.
I’ve been using a Super Dri Aid pot for years. I’ve had my current set of hearing aids for about 5 years now, I’m certain that regular overnight use of the Dri Aid pot has helped to prolong their life.
 Super Dri Aid |
 Mini Super Dri Aid |
Read about the Dri Aid products on Hal Hen’s website
UPDATE: I’ve received quite a few emails from people asking about Hal Hen products so I’ve compiled some of your questions into a FAQ.
My pellets no longer return to blue but become a deep brown. Are they still effective?
Hi Bob,
I’ve been using the same Dri Aid pot for years and get the odd brown one now and again when I recharge.
I assume the brown ones have been burnt.
If your pot if full of brown pellets then it might be time to get yourself a new one!
Steve
I recently received a Drying Pot from the Mayo Clinic when I picked up my hearing aids. The instruction provided with the aids strictly forbid using a Microwave for reviving the pellets. They also say a regular oven must be used, once a month.
These instructions do not agree with those printed on the pot.
Which should I follow? The Microwave would be the most convenient for me.
Thank you.
Dr Lindsay,
Is it possible that the clinic gave you the wrong set of instructions with your Dri Aid pot?
Rather than me make any assumptions here, I would suggest giving the Mayo Clinic a call.
I don\’t think you will need to charge the pellets every month, just when the blue pellets turn white. The speed of the whitening process will depend on how often you put your hearing aids into the pot and and how much moisture they contain.
Steve.
Thank you for your acknowledgement. The technician, while demonstrating the Hal Hen Super Dri-Aid, was quite specific, verbally, about never using the microwave, and also about recharging on a monthly basis.
This is not the only confusion. One instructor told me to brush the hearing aid filters (though the manufacturer says not to touch them). Another said: “never brush the filters!”
Confusion reigns!
LAL.
Hi,
I am writing from Mexico.
My mother has used this item for a long time and we have seen that it is really good, but that we have at this moment is close to get its life period, so would like to know where we can purchase it in Mexico.
Comments are highly appreciated!!
I need to know if I can just buy the pellets or do I need to purchase a new Jar. If I can just buy the pellets please let me know how to get them thank you.
Peggy,
As far as I am aware you will need to buy a new jar.
I don’t know where you live but here in the UK you can pick up a new jar from Specsavers - they sell a jar made by Siemens for £6. You should be able to buy jars from most hearing aid vendors.
re Hal-hen super dri- aid
I may sound a silly question but it doesnt say anywhwere if you need to remove the grey sponge on top of the pellets before putting in you hearing aids?
and I have had this jar about 3 years and no matter how I heat it none of them turn blue.
I am presently experiencing a problem with on of my hearing aids so shall ask them at the ha centre but would like to hear what you have to say .
Many thanks
Liz Ramus
Liz.
I removed the sponge from my Dri Aid pot and just put my hearing aids directly on top of the pellets. I think though, the proper use is to put your hearing aids on top of the sponge.
If you only have white pellets then your pot is not removing any moisture from your aids. My method to dry the pellets out is:
1. Empty pellets onto a plate
2. Flip a second plate over and place it on top of the first plate. So your pellets are no incased between the two plates and cannot jump around in the microwave.
3. Put plates in the microwave and turn it on full power for 1 minute.
4. After 1 minute lift top plate off and see if any blue pellets have appeared. Replace top plate and heat for another minute.
BE VERY CAREFUL when lifting the top plate as the pellets get very hot and let off a lot of steam.
The instructions from Hal-Hen explicitly state the pellets should be placed for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven to remove the moisture. It also states that this should be done only when the blue pellets lose their color, which for me takes several months. After the oven treatment, the blue pellets regain their color.
I don’t think using a microwave is a good idea.