Lots of people really love winter! Alright, it can certainly be a bummer if you have to get anywhere. Or if you aren’t properly prepared. But there are plenty of fun things to do in those chillier winter months.
Don’t believe us? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the correct gear.
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the correct gear to stay comfortable. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are made to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are designed to be used full-time. They’re made to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid makers understand that these devices might take a beating. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything extreme with them.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can operate quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (even though there are some places, especially up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
You will be able to hear well in the majority of settings and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they may function, they may not work optimally.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- It helps to wear a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid cozy. And your hearing aids will work at their best level if they’re warm. Your next question may be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any inclement weather.
- Talk to us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Speak with us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the opportunity to lessen discomfort.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by making use of accessories.: In order to ensure your hearing aids stay securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available straps or clips. This can be especially significant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, such as skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help stop moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Maybe you’re not certain how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a smart idea: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be mindful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? That’s precisely what we’re going to explore.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still can’t determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Perhaps a delicious hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather may effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!