Sahara Dry Ear - Warm Air Ear Dryer

Frequently Asked Questions About the DryEar

Q: Why should I keep my outer ear canals dry?
A: Basic biology teaches that all living things need water to grow. Bacteria & fungi can grow in a moist ear canal. By using the Sahara DryEar to keep your outer ear canals dry, you eliminate the moisture media where germs can grow.

Q: How does the Sahara DryEar actually dry my ear canals?
A: The patented Sahara Dry Ear has a customized computer chip which directs the heater and fan to blow a regulated flow of warm air into the ear canal. The color-coded earpiece channels the warm air into your outer ear canal. Each earpiece is specially designed to exhaust the airflow from the ear canal along with the evaporating moisture. In most cases all the moisture trapped in you ear will evaporate in about a minute, leaving your outer ear canal dry and safe.

Q: Why is the Sahara DryEar better than eardrops for swimmer’s ear and surfer’s ear?
A: The Sahara DryEar is easier to use making it much more effective. People who suffer from swimmers ear and surfers ear need to keep their ears dry as much as possible. The eardrops require the swimmer or surfer to put additional liquid in their ears in an effort to “dry” their ears. This is very cumbersome and often the user ends up with eardrops running down the side of their face or neck. It is especially true with children because it is difficult to get them to remain still until the drops dry. The Sahara Dry Ear is simple to use and the soothing warm airflow quickly and effectively dries the ear canal every time. (Click the following words to learn about SWIMMERS EAR or SURFERS EAR)

Q: How often should I use the Sahara DryEar?
A: As often as you feel a need to remove water from your ears. People who suffer from outer ear infections and swimmers ear are advised to keep their ears dry as much as possible. Those engaged in water sports may dry their ear canals multiple times per day. Hearing Aid wearers often dry the sweat and moisture in their ear canals multiple times per day in order to maintain the best fit.

Q: How long does it take for the Sahara DryEar to dry my ears?
A: The Dry Ear ear dryer has been designed with an 80 second cycle time that has been shown to be effective in drying most ear canals. When using the Dry Ear you will feel a cooling sensation as the water evaporates from your ear canal. Shortly after you feel the cooling evaporative process end, your ear canal should be dry. For most people, this will occur in about a minute. For persons with larger ear canals due to surgical procedures or other reasons, the process may require an additional drying cycle.

Q: Does the Sahara DryEar prevent swimmer’s ear, surfer’s ear and outer ear infections?
A: The Sahara Dry Ear is an ear drying device and that's all it claims to be. We don't claim to prevent swimmers ear, surfers ear or any other outer ear infections. However, the Sahara DryEar is designed to treat ear disorders by drying the ear canal. Medical articles that discuss the treatment of swimmers ear, surfers ear and outer ear infections emphasize the importance of keeping the outer ear canal dry. We guarantee that by properly using the Sahara DryEar, your ear canals will be dried quickly and effectively. (Click the following words to learn about SWIMMERS EAR or SURFERS EAR)

Q: Is the Sahara DryEar sanitary to use?
A: Yes. The only portion of the Sahara DryEar that comes in contact with your ear is the removable earpiece. Because you can remove the earpiece it is very easy to clean after each use using warm soap and water or rubbing alcohol. In addition, your Sahara DryEar comes equipped with 5 different color earpieces so that each member of your family can use their own earpiece.
Warning : If you are experiencing pain in your ears and you use the Sahara DryEar be sure to thoroughly clean the earpiece with hot, soapy water and rubbing alcohol before using it in your other ear. This will reduce the potential of infecting your healthy
ear by using an unclean earpiece in your non-infected ear.

Q: Why does the Sahara DryEar have different colored earpieces?
A: Each Dry Ear comes with five interchangeable, color-coded earpieces: blue, green, purple, pink and yellow. The different colors were designed so that each family member would have their own color-coded earpiece. This helps promote good hygiene similar to brushing your teeth with your own toothbrush.

Q: Why is the Sahara DryEar better than other devices and methods?
A: The Sahara DryEar emits air that is regulated close to your body temperature. This is important as you ears are the balance center of your body. By emitting warm air, the ear canals are dry. By regulating the temperature so that it reflects your body's temperature, you are ensured a comfortable and effective drying experience. Other methods such as a hair dryer or similar blowing device are not custom made to the sensitive requirements of your ears. Ear drops while sometimes effective are not comfortable and can be cumbersome for the user. The simplicity combined with the effectiveness of the Sahara DryEar makes it a truly effective ear drying device.

Q: How many uses do I get before I need to recharge the battery?
A: With a full battery charge you will be able to run the Dry Ear over 50 times before needing to recharge the device. That’s over 25 uses before recharging, assuming you dry both ears every time you use the Dry Ear.

Q: What type of batteries does it use?
A: The DryEar is equipped with a rechargeable lithium ion battery similar to those found in cell phones. This battery will last for years with regular use.

Q: How do I know when recharging is complete and if I leave it plugged in overnight, will it hurt the battery?
A: A full charge of a completely dead battery will require 5 hours of recharging. However, in just two hours you can charge the battery to about 85% of a full charge, which will enable you to use the Dry Ear for over 40 cycles. Because the battery is lithium ion, it does not have “memory” and can therefore be charged for varying lengths of time without damage.

Q: Is the Sahara DryEar safe to use?
A: The Sahara DryEar was designed with safety in mind above all else. It was designed by a medical doctor that specializes in treatment of the ear, known in the medical field as an Otolaryngologist or ENT. In addition, the American Academy of Otolaryngology website (www.entnet.org/healthinfo/ears/swimmers.cfm) suggests using a hair dryer to dry your ears. Certainly, if the Academy endorses the use of a hair dryer that is clearly not designed to dry the ear, that operates at much too high a temperature, and blows at much too high a velocity, you can rest assured that the Sahara DryEar is safe. Designed by an ENT to precisely regulate the time, temperature and airflow through a custom designed, soft rubber exhausting tip, ensures that you can feel safe using the Sahara DryEar.

Q: Can young children use the Sahara DryEar safely?
A: Yes, however children under 5-years of age should be supervised by an adult. Similar to teaching a young child to use a toothbrush, the key concerns with small children are:
1) Making sure they don’t apply unnecessary pressure and hurt themselves.
2) Making sure they use it long enough to actually dry the ear.
3) Making sure they don’t damage the device by dropping it or getting it wet.

Q: When I actually have an ear infection like swimmer’s ear or surfer’s ear can I use the Sahara DryEar?
A: You should first consult your physician any time you are having problems with your ears. With infections like swimmers ear your ears will likely be sensitive. Carefully using the DryEar will actually make the ears feel good as it delivers a steady stream of soothing warm air into the ear and by keeping them dry you will help your ear to fight the infection and heal more rapidly. Be sure to change and/or wash the earpiece before using it in your other ear. (Click the following words to learn about SWIMMERS EAR or SURFERS EAR)

Q: Is the Sahara DryEar safe for use on individuals with “tubes” in their ears?
A: Yes, the Sahara DryEar ear dryer is safe to use when middle ear ventilation tubes are in place because the Sahara DryEar introduces only warm dry air into the ear canal. The DryEar does not however dry the tubes themselves or any water that may have been introduced into the tubes. It only dries the outer ear canal itself. (Read more about ear tubes by clicking on this link)

Q: Is the Sahara DryEar safe for individuals who have perforated eardrums or mastoid bowls?
A: Yes, the Dry Ear introduces only warm dry air into the middle ear or mastoid bowl, and it is the retained moisture that can cause problems for these individuals. However, the drying process may take more than one cycle to completely dry the ear canal. (Read more about Mastoid Bowls)

Q: Are there any side effects from using the Sahara DryEar?
A: For most people there are none. However, in a very small number of people who have extremely sensitive ear canals and certain diseases of the inner ear they may experience a brief episode of dizziness when using the Dry Ear. If you experience this, cease using the ear dryer immediately and please report the incident to our customer service department at 1-800-319-0476.

Q: Does it clean the wax out of my ears?
A: The Sahara DryEar is not a cleaning device in any way. Its sole function is to remove trapped water from swimmer's ears, surfer's ears and moisture from the ear canal after showers, exercise or any other activity that results in ear moisture.

Q: Can I return the Sahara DryEar if I don’t like it?
A: Yes. For any units purchased directly from Sahara Design and Marketing Group, L.L.C., we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If for ANY reason you do not like or want the Sahara DryEar, just return everything in its original condition and packaging and we will refund the purchase price minus shipping and handling.

Q: How long will the Sahara DryEar last?
A: The Sahara DryEar was designed to last for years with proper use and handling. Our manufacturer’s warranty is good for 1-year, but the DryEar will easily outlast the warranty with normal use.

Q: Do I need more than one Sahara DryEar for each member of the family?
A: Unlike other devices on the market, the Sahara DryEar is equipped with interchangeable earpieces. As a result you only NEED one DryEar unit to service the entire family, making it the most cost effective method available. However, swimmers, hearing aid users, and boat enthusiasts have reported that they find it useful to have one at home and one in their places of recreation such as in their gym bag, on their boat, near the pool, etc.

Q: Where can I get another DryEar ear canal dryer?
A: There are currently two ways to purchase a Sahara DryEar ear dryer.