Summer is a season full of adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable moments. Your hearing aids are essential for staying connected as you take part in activities like lounging by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard cookouts. But, warm weather and outside environments bring distinct challenges for hearing aid users. To be certain your devices keep working flawlessly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to care for them correctly during summer.
Common summer challenges for hearing aid users
The changing seasons can present distinct difficulties for people who wear hearing aids, with the hot and humid weather of summer being particularly hazardous to the effective functioning of these devices. Typical summer problems to watch out for:
Moisture and humidity
Exposure to moisture from activities involving water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a risk to hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate delicate electronic components, which may lead to operational issues or rusting. Even modest amounts of moisture within your devices can affect sound quality or damage them permanently.
Outside elements and wind
Strong breezes aren’t just an aggravation, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or present dust, sand, and debris into delicate parts. Outside activities like gardening, beach trips, or sports can expose your hearing aids to dirt particles that interfere with their performance.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like keeping them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or distortion of plastic parts. Excessive heat accelerates wear and tear and reduces device longevity.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By embracing a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids remain secure, moisture-free, and functioning efficiently throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Remove Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, showering, or any water exposure. Utilize swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Steer clear of using heat-producing devices such as hair dryers for drying purposes.
- To decrease moisture accumulation, leave the battery compartments open and store the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out thoroughly.
2. Control sweating during exercise
- Consider wearing sweatbands or headbands to soak up extra sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while working out or doing work outside.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Regularly dry your ears thoroughly before reinserting hearing aids to avoid moisture transfer.
3. Ensure a hygienic environment
- Regular Maintenance: To avoid bacterial accumulation caused by moisture and body heat, apply a day-to-day cleaning routine of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Routinely Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to occasionally inspect your devices for any build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the required measures to eliminate it. Regular cleanings performed by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid permanent harm.
- Proper Storage: Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot when not in use. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device performance and consult a professional for help
If you experience changes in how well you hear, any sounds coming from your hearing device, or how long the battery lasts in the warmer season, make sure to reach out to your hearing specialist without hesitation. They can carry out required maintenance or repairs to keep your hearing aids functioning efficiently.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids.
Summer is a time for forging lasting experiences, not for worrying about your hearing devices. By being attentive and taking simple steps to safeguard 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 safeguard your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every thrilling experience.