Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But there are lots of fun things to do in those chillier winter months.
Still not convinced? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could have some fun on a snowmobile! 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, autumn if you have the right gear.
But the secret here is using the right gear. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are designed to be worn every day. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the supermarket, out for a hike, or just around the house. The makers 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 remember that they’re made to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
As a result, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in the majority of settings and that’s a great thing. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the winter? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might function, they might not operate optimally.
Some winter hearing aid guidelines
You can keep your hearing aids operating at near maximum efficiency if you take a few measures.
- When you aren’t wearing your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm place: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer problems if you keep moisture out of it. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? Usually, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
- Talk to us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be working. Your next question may be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Most hearing aids will continue to work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: There are all manner 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 especially relevant.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Can 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 certain you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a smart idea: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. This means your hearing aid can probably get a little wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Of course, even in the best weather conditions, your hearing aid might occasionally quit working. There are a few basic troubleshooting measures you can take (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some yummy hot soup. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the guidelines outlined above. Give us a call if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.