The ReDux was nicely package for shipping. The item was nestled in a molded rigid plastic holder that appeared to be PETE or polypropelene. It did NOT have a recycling symbol, which is really my only complaint about the entire device.
The unit arrived in a vacuum sealed thick plastic wrapper of the product, so being airtight, the unit was factory fresh, dry and moisture free, so I assumed it had a dry inner chamber from the get-go. this could have been stated in the brief instruction manual, that it was ready to go. I plugged the unit in, and the pilot light did NOT start flashing, which is the indication that the desiccant is regenerating. So I immediately put the dryer to work.
My hearing aids fit nicely in the chamber. The size of the hearing aid is on the larger size, given the severity of my hearing loss. So I think that 99% of the public will have no issues with their devices fitting in the drying chamber. The top fits easily, but securely in place. The whole device has the feel and appearance of premium manufacturing; a high quality instrument. It weighs just under 1 lb, and sits 5.3 inches tall and 4.4 inches in diameter. The material is a polycarbonate, and has the feel of durability and rugged integrity. It reminded me of a high end camping ice chest, the kind that keeps contents frozen for a week out in the wild.
The instructions were simple, and the instruction manual was only 20 pages long, with big print and lots of pictures. So only 5 of those pages were the crux of the device operation.
I’ve worn hearing aids for decades, through several generations of models. Starting in my 40s, I have seen (I suppose “heard” is a better verb) major improvements: moving from analog to digital instruments, more compact and discrete devices, marriage to smartphones for crisp binaural reception of telephone calls, and rechargeable batteries (no longer a daily chore of fastening little batteries into the devices), and the perpetual monitoring of battery health so you wouldn’t loose you hearing halfway through a lecture or performance.
However, the unseen problem of wetness still existed. My previous solution was a small “drying jar” filled with desiccant beads. The hearing aids would go in the jar every night, opening the battery doors to allow the interior to be dried. The drying beads needed to be recharged about once a week, which was a run through the microwave with the beans in a Pyrex custard dish. However, with the rechargeable batteries in modern hearing aids, the nighttime drying jar was supplanted by night time charging stand.
In the small flexible plastic tubing, which was the sound conduit from the behind the ear device to the earpiece, moisture would accumulate. Usually just a bit of fogging visible, since I had purchased (at over $300!) from the manufacturer of my hearing aids, a combination recharging and drying station. It was supposed to solve the issue of moisture, while charging the hearing aids overnight, a common habit for those owning rechargeable hearing aids. So the hearing aids would sit next to the mobile phone on the bedside table, getting their evening charge up to be ready for the next day. And the promise was that the drying chamber would obviate the nuisance of moisture. My audiologist at my annual check-ups would clean the hearing aids, run them through their electronic dryer, fit new tubing, and adjust the spectrum for any shifts in my audiogram.
Nevertheless, about twice a year, enough moisture would accumulate that a water blockage would accumulate in the ear tubing, preventing the passage of any sound, and rendering that ear to deafness. Sort of like “vapor lock” that used to plague automobiles in carburetor days. I would then call my audiologist, and they would work me into the schedule. Then they would disassemble the tubing from the hearing aid, and usually take that opportunity to install new tubing, as it becomes stiff and inflexible about every 6 months. If I was traveling, and out of town, I could manage to do that maintenance myself, although getting the tight fitting tubing off the hearing aid was a bit challenging without proper grasping and reassembly tools. And I had no method of forcing the moisture out of the tube, since the diameter is quite small, perhaps 1.5 mm. Too small for wicking it out with a tissue or pipe cleaner, for example.
When I saw the ReDux home hearing aid dryer, I knew this was a necessity for any hearing aid wearer who has the instruments with the physical tubing connecting the amplifier (usually sitting behind the ear) and the ear mold residing in the ear canal. But moisture can be the bane of other models of hearing aids as well, those that sit in the ear or tiny ones in the canal. The counter top device plugs into a wall outlet via a 12 volt power supply. The devices are placed in the chamber, and the top placed over with a twist to secure lid. One button to press, and the hearing aids are “dehydrated” back to factory new conditions. There is an LED indicator light that is solid blue while drying, and turns to a flashing blue when complete. The hearing aids can be removed and worn immediately, or put in the recharger for the night. The flashing blue continues while the ReDux if regenerating the desiccator back to its optimum state. Once that light turns off, the ReDux can be unplugged and stored.
An additional usage is that the chamber is fairly generous in size. So my fitness watch, after a run and permeated by sweat, can be rinsed in the sink and towel-dried. For a complete restoration, a run through the ReDux will be even better. If the ReDux is designed to be gentle enough to dry hearing aids, costing $2,000 and higher, your $300 smart watch is in safe hands.
I would definitely recommend this product for all hearing aids wearers. The price might be too high for the casual smart watch wearer to purchase, but any microelectronic device would be well served by the once a month treatment in the ReDux. Over 72 patents worldwide have been given to the company since 2012 for its design and technology.
From the ReDux company, the following info:
Complete Moisture Removal:
Redux Home utilizes advanced humidity sensors to effectively remove all moisture from your hearing aids, ensuring optimal performance for longer.
Quick Drying Time:
With an average dry time of just two hours and a drying frequency of 1-2x monthly, Redux Home offers a fast and convenient solution to keep your hearing aids dry and ready for use when you need them.
Safe for All Devices
: Designed for all types of hearing aids and batteries, Redux Home provides a safe, patented drying process that won't damage your valuable devices.
Easy-to-Use at Home
: Place your hearing aids inside Redux Home, close the lid, and press start. Redux Home takes care of the rest, removing all moisture. This is perfect for those who want to maintain their hearing aids' performance at home.
No Desiccant Refills Required:
Redux Home's one-time cost eliminates the need for additional equipment and fees, providing a hassle-free and cost-effective solution for maintaining your hearing aids.
No special cleaning devices required:
Redux recommendation for the best way to remove wax and clean your hearing devices is to simply wipe them periodically with a soft cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
