Lots of people really enjoy winter! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can certainly be a challenge. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are only a few instances of how cold weather can be fun: you could go sledding or skiing. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the right gear.
But that’s an important caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are designed to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out for a hike, or just around the house. Which means that hearing aid makers understand that these devices might take a pounding. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything extreme with them.
The majority of hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (even though there are some places, especially up north, that will sometimes get colder than -13 degrees).
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 function as well in the winter? Hearing aids will function in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Some winter hearing aid guidelines
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. And your hearing aids will function at their best level if they’re warm. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still continue to work.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a smart idea: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I wear hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a bit wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than you have to.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by making use of accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is especially true.
- Talk to us about the fit of your hearing aids: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die faster in the cold. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- When you aren’t wearing your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer problems if you keep moisture out of it. Maybe you’re not certain how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. Normally, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the best weather conditions, your hearing aid might occasionally stop working. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you determine the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some yummy hot soup. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
If you follow the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is especially true. Call us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.