For a hearing aid user, a hurricane plan should cover more than water, food and flashlights. Power outages, moisture, evacuation noise and disrupted routines can make it harder to hear alerts or communicate with family members. Preparing a small hearing care kit before a storm is much easier than finding supplies after watches or warnings begin.
Build a hearing aid emergency kit
Keep the following items together in a waterproof, easy-to-carry container:
- Hearing aid charger and its wall cable.
- A labeled portable power bank that is compatible with the charger.
- Disposable batteries in the correct size, if your devices use them.
- A dry storage container or hearing aid dehumidifier that does not require wall power.
- Cleaning tools, wax filters and domes recommended for your devices.
- A hard storage case and a small flashlight.
- Written model, serial number, clinic contact and current program information.
- A backup communication method, such as a notepad or speech-to-text app.
FEMA recommends including hearing aids, extra batteries and communication needs in an emergency plan. Rechargeable hearing aid users should test the power bank and charging combination before hurricane season. A cable that fits does not always guarantee that a particular power bank will charge a particular case correctly.
Protect devices from water and humidity
Hearing aids are not waterproof. Even devices with strong water-resistance ratings can be damaged by flooding, salt water or prolonged moisture. Store them above floor level in a sealed bag or waterproof container when they are not being worn. Never dry hearing aids with a hair dryer, microwave or direct heat.
After exposure to heavy humidity or rain, follow the manufacturer's cleaning and drying instructions. If sound becomes weak, intermittent or distorted, check for moisture and debris, then arrange professional service if the issue continues.
Make alerts accessible
Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and review accessibility settings before a storm. Consider vibration, flash notifications, captions and a weather radio with visual or vibrating alerts. Tell family members or shelter staff that you use hearing aids. In a noisy shelter, move closer to the speaker, ask for written instructions and confirm important details back.
Keep a printed list of medications, emergency contacts and clinic information in case phone service or battery power becomes unreliable.
Prepare before North Palm Beach is under a warning
At the start of hurricane season, charge all devices, replace worn cables and confirm that your cleaning supplies are current. If a hearing aid is already unreliable, address it before severe weather approaches. Last-minute repairs and replacement parts may be harder to obtain during closures or evacuations.
Merit Hearing serves patients in North Palm Beach and can help review charging, maintenance and communication options for most major hearing aid brands. Bring your hearing aids, charger, phone and backup power source so the setup can be checked together.
Find the North Palm Beach clinic or book a consultation online.
Clinical oversight provided by Dr. Shelby Matthews, AuD. Approved July 21, 2026.
Sources
This article provides general preparedness information. Follow local emergency-management instructions and the care directions for your specific hearing aids.