Summer is a season filled with adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable moments. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, going to summer concerts, hiking trails, or simply enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a crucial role in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can present various complications for individuals who rely on hearing aids. To make sure your devices keep working flawlessly through the season, it’s important to understand how to care for them correctly during summer.
Common summer obstacles for hearing aid users
Every season introduces its own challenges for hearing aid users, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices in jeopardy. Here are a few typical issues you might encounter during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities increase moisture exposure for hearing aids. High humidity levels can seep into fragile electronic components, potentially causing malfunctions or oxidation. Even modest amounts of moisture within your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outdoor elements
Strong winds can cause hearing aids to become loose in your ears or bring particles like dust, sand, and debris into fragile areas, posing more than just a minor inconvenience. Participating in outdoor pursuits such as gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports might expose your hearing aids to dust and debris that can impact how well they function.
Heat and sun exposure
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 decreases the lifespan of devices.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of useful habits, 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
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s important to take out your hearing aids before participating in any aquatic activities, such as swimming or showering, to prevent damage from water exposure. Use swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe your devices if they get wet. Avoid using heat-producing devices like hair dryers for drying purposes.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and keep hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier at night to prevent moisture accumulation.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and safeguard both your ears and hearing aids during exercise or doing outdoor chores.
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: To keep your hearing aids functioning properly, be certain to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Regular Cleaning Routine: Clean your hearing aids daily with disinfectant wipes designed for electronics or hearing devices to decrease bacteria growth caused by heat and sweat.
- Remove Debris: Inspect your devices often for dust, dirt, or earwax accumulation and clean accordingly. Professional cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can prevent long-term damage.
- Appropriate Storage: Store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use. Refrain from leaving them exposed to sunlight or high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device operation and consult a professional for assistance
If you detect differences 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 reach out to your hearing specialist without delay. They can perform necessary maintenance or repairs to keep your hearing aids working efficiently.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating long lasting experiences, not for worrying about your hearing devices. With attentive care and a few easy preventative measures, your devices can handle the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you experience every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.
For professional guidance on protecting your hearing aids or to set up a thorough check-up, book a consultation with a specialist at your earliest convenience. Enjoy your summer to the fullest, knowing your hearing aids are ready for any adventure.
