Lots of individuals really enjoy winter! Alright, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to get somewhere. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe us? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the proper gear.
But the secret here is having the appropriate gear. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be worn on a daily basis. They’re built so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or just around the house. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re made to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can function quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in most environments and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might work, they might not work optimally.
Some winter hearing aid tips
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, also! And your hearing aids will function at their maximum level if they’re warm. Your next question may be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still continue to work.
- Use accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically true.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Talk to us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to minimize discomfort.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a good idea: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are usually water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- When you’re not wearing your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of cases, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere dry and warm.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few standard troubleshooting measures you can take (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still can’t figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some yummy hot soup. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. What’s important here is not to let problems with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
If you follow the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is especially true. If you have any questions about how cold weather could impact the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!