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Q: humidity and magnetic pull ( No Answer,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: humidity and magnetic pull
Category: Science > Physics
Asked by: susanonly-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 31 Jul 2004 07:16 PDT
Expires: 30 Aug 2004 07:16 PDT
Question ID: 381671
Does humidity increase the magnectic pull?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: humidity and magnetic pull
From: neilzero-ga on 31 Jul 2004 10:59 PDT
 
The general answer is humidity does not increase magnetic pull. I
can't think of any situation in which it would. Are you thinking of
something in particular?  Neil
Subject: Re: humidity and magnetic pull
From: susanonly-ga on 31 Jul 2004 12:14 PDT
 
i am asking this question because .... here's the situation ... i have
two cochlear implants which is a device implanted in the ear to allow
me to hear.   it's a fantastic device!    part of the implant has a
magnet just under the scalp
that is used when the outer device called a processor (looks like a hearing aid)
connect to the internal implant when the external magnet hooks with
the one under my skin.   the outer magnet is adjustable so it can stay
on the head without pulling the internal device up to create a bump in
the head or fall of.    too much magnetic pull also breaks down the
skin covering it.   these past two week the humidity has been
horrible.     also the last two weeks the area of the magnets seem to
be raised by the end of the day (i take off the processor at night).  
 the raised area is tender and the whole feeling is uncomfortable ...
even painful.   the only thing i can think of that changed is the
weather or humidity.     mucky days or tons of rain... this is why i
asks.
Subject: Re: humidity and magnetic pull
From: andrewxmp-ga on 01 Aug 2004 20:22 PDT
 
I have to agree- humidity simply doesnt affect magnetic forces.  While
reading your descriptio of the setup with your device, somthing came
to mind.  If the weather is humid, and along with that most likely
warmer as well, is it possible you are sweating more?  This might
affect the "processor" by making it slide a little, or perhaps
increase irritation if there are pores underneath the device.  Just a
thought...
Subject: Re: humidity and magnetic pull
From: susanonly-ga on 02 Aug 2004 04:36 PDT
 
thanks for the thought of the processor slipping.        but the
processor itself is like an hearing aid looped onto the ear itself.   
  connected to the processor is a tiny cable with a magnet disc
attached.        it is this magnet the is placed over the area where a
metal disc has been surgically implanted under the scalp and this disc
doesn't move.     most of the time you can't even feel this metal
disc.
it is only after attaching the magnet that the pull causes the skin to
raise but it hasn't always done this.      the magnet has sat
comfortablly and not pullling harder to raise the skin.      after
posting my question i did asks other who use this device if they
expereince the same thing.   so far it's 10 out of 10 who agree.     
it doesn't make any sense i know.     but something is happening so
there must be a reason why.     i'm not sure if there would be a
reason why anyone would detect an increase or a stronger magnetic pull
since this small change i am experincing now only strengthen the bond
which is good in most cases i'm sure.    it's only when skin is
between that this small difference becomes a factor.    my guess
anyway.
Subject: Re: humidity and magnetic pull
From: lidagreg-ga on 22 Apr 2005 18:28 PDT
 
My 8-year-old son is also a bilateral cochlear implant user.  I asked
him, without explaining the question too much so as to not lead him
on, if he experiences the same thing.  I asked if the magnets felt
tighter when it is hot.  He said "No, but when I am sweaty, they feel
a little tighter.  I don't think they are tighter, they just feel
tighter.  It's realy weird!"  (So that makes 11 out of 11!)

I have a couple of theories about what is happening.  One is that
there is more blood flow to your scalp.  As a consequence your nerves
detecting the pressure of the magnets are firing more strongly.  The
other theory is that when you sweat, your skin loses moisture and gets
thinner, so there is less distance between the magnet in the processor
coil and the internal one under your skin and you feel the squeezing
more.  (I think I like my second theory better.)

If you are worried the magnets are TOO tight, you should talk to your
clinic because you could get a nasty skin breakdown, as you probably
know.

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