The summer months offer a wealth of stimulating experiences, exhilarating outdoor adventures, and wonderful experiences that create lifelong memories. Your hearing aids are essential for staying connected as you engage in activities like chilling by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard get-togethers. But, warm weather and outdoor environments bring unique challenges for hearing aid users. To be certain your devices keep working perfectly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to take care of them correctly during summer.
Summer difficulties encountered by people with hearing aids
The changing seasons can pose unique difficulties for people who wear hearing aids, with the hot and humid weather of summer being especially hazardous to the proper functioning of these devices. Here are a few typical issues you may encounter during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a threat to hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate sensitive electronic parts, which may lead to operational issues or rusting. Exposure to even minimal humidity within your devices can compromise audio effectiveness or lead to permanent damage.
Outdoor elements and wind
Strong breezes aren’t just an aggravation, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, dirt, and debris into delicate parts. Outside activities like gardening, beach outings, or sports can expose your hearing aids to dust particles that interfere with their performance.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Keeping hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, such as a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drain, or warping of plastic components. Extreme heat accelerates deterioration and reduces the longevity of devices.
Tips to safeguard your hearing aids all summer long
With a few sensible practices, you can keep your hearing aids safe, dry, and working at their best, no matter what your summer plans are.
1. Safeguard your hearing aids from water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s essential to remove your hearing aids prior to participating in any aquatic activities, including swimming or showering, to avoid damage from water exposure. To prevent water from getting into your ears, think about using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Never utilize heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To decrease moisture accumulation, leave the battery door open and place the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to dry out completely.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids during exercise or doing outdoor chores.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Routinely dry your ears completely before reinserting hearing aids to prevent moisture transfer.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Regular Maintenance: To prevent bacterial accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, apply a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes suitable for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Regularly Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to periodically examine your devices for any build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the necessary steps to remove it. Routine cleanings performed by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device operation and speak with a professional for assistance
If you detect changes in how well you hear, any noises coming from your hearing aids, or how long the battery lasts in the warmer season, be certain to contact your hearing specialist without delay. They are able to perform vital upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work properly.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is meant for making memories, not for stressing about your hearing aids. With attentive care and a few easy precautions, your devices can take on the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you experience every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.
For expert guidance on protecting your hearing aids or to arrange a thorough check-up, book a consultation with a specialist at your earliest convenience. Enjoy your summer to the fullest, with confidence that your hearing aids are ready for any adventure.