Summer is a season filled with adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable moments. Your hearing aids are imperative for remaining connected as you engage in activities like lounging by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard cookouts. However, 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 take care of them correctly during summer.
Common summer challenges for hearing aid users
Each season introduces its own obstacles for hearing aid users, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices in jeopardy. Here are some common issues you may experience during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities raise moisture exposure for hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate sensitive electronic components, which may result in operational issues or rusting. Even small amounts of moisture within your devices can affect sound quality or damage them permanently.
Outdoor elements and wind
Strong winds can cause hearing aids to become loose in your ears or bring particles like dust, sand, and debris into fragile areas, presenting more than just a minor inconvenience. Outside activities like gardening, beach outings, or sports can expose your hearing aids to dust particles that interfere with their performance.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like keeping them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or melting of plastic parts. Excessive heat speeds up wear and tear and shortens device lifespan.
Summer guidelines for protecting your hearing aids
With a few sensible habits, you can keep your hearing aids safe, dry, and working at their best, no matter what your summer plans are.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Remove Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or any water exposure. Use swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- After being exposed to moisture, make sure to gently dry your devices using a soft microfiber cloth. Never use heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- 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 dry out completely.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Use Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids during exercise or doing outdoor chores.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Regularly dry your ears completely before reinserting hearing aids to prevent moisture transfer.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Regular Maintenance: To prevent 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.
- Eliminate Debris: Inspect your devices often for dust, dirt, or earwax accumulation and clean as necessary. Routine cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term harm.
- Appropriate Storage: Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Monitor device function and get professional help
If you experience differences in how well you hear, any noises coming from your hearing aids, or how long the battery lasts in the hotter season, make sure to contact your hearing specialist without hesitation. They are able to conduct vital maintenance or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work properly.
Enjoy a stress-free summer with well-cared-for hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. With mindful care and a few easy precautions, your devices can handle the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you enjoy every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.
If you’re not sure about the best way to protect your hearing aids or need professional maintenance, schedule an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.