Summer is a season filled with adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable times. Whether you’re spending time by the pool, going to summer concerts, hiking trails, or simply enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a vital role in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose various complications for people who depend on hearing aids. To make sure your devices continue to working perfectly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to take care of them properly during summer.
Summer difficulties faced by people who use hearing aids
Every season presents its own obstacles for hearing aid users, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Common summer problems to watch out for:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities raise moisture exposure for hearing aids. High humidity levels can seep into delicate electronic components, potentially creating malfunctions or corrosion. Even modest amounts of moisture within your devices can affect sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outside elements
Strong breezes aren’t simply an aggravation, they can dislodge hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, sand, and debris into sensitive parts. Engaging in outdoor pursuits including gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports may expose your hearing aids to dust and debris that can affect how well they function.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like leaving them on a car dashboard, can result in overheating, reduced battery life, or melting of plastic parts. Extreme heat speeds up wear and tear and reduces device longevity.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of helpful habits, you can ensure that your hearing aids remain secure, moisture-free, and functioning efficiently throughout the summer, regardless of your activities.
1. Shield your hearing aids from water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s important to remove your hearing aids before engaging in any aquatic activities, such as swimming or showering, to avoid damage from water exposure. To stop water from entering 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.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and store hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier overnight to remove moisture buildup.
2. Deal with sweat and physical activity
- Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outside chores.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Regularly dry your ears completely before reinserting hearing aids to prevent moisture transfer.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Frequent Cleaning Routine: Clean your hearing aids daily with disinfectant wipes made for electronics or hearing devices to decrease bacteria growth due to heat and sweat.
- Routinely Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to occasionally examine your devices for any accumulation of debris, including dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the necessary steps to remove it. Regular cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry location 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 consult a professional for assistance
If you notice any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery drainage during summer months, don’t wait to consult your hearing care professional. They are able to perform vital upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids function effectively.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is meant for making memories, not for stressing about your hearing aids. By being attentive and taking basic steps to protect your devices, you can ensure they can withstand hot temperatures, moisture, and outdoor conditions. This will allow you to enjoy clear sound while experiencing conversations, bird songs, and water splashes.
If you’re unsure about the best way to protect your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, schedule an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every thrilling experience.