The summer months provide a wide range of exciting experiences, exhilarating outdoor adventures, and wonderful experiences that create lifelong memories. Your hearing aids are essential for staying connected as you engage in activities like chilling by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard get-togethers. Warmer temperatures and outdoor settings can pose various complications for individuals who rely on hearing aids. To be certain your devices continue to working flawlessly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to take care of them correctly during summer.
Common summer obstacles 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 harmful to the proper functioning of these devices. Typical summer problems to watch out for:
Moisture and humidity
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can pose a risk to hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to penetrate delicate electronic parts, which may result in operational issues or rusting. Exposure to even minor humidity within your devices can compromise audio effectiveness or cause irreversible damage.
Outside elements and wind
Strong breezes aren’t just an aggravation, they can dislodge hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, dirt, and debris into delicate parts. Participating in outdoor pursuits such as gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports might subject your hearing aids to dirt and debris that can affect how well they work.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Leaving hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, including a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drain, or melting of plastic components. Intense heat speeds up wear and tear and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of useful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and functioning optimally throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s essential to remove 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 carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Steer clear of using heat-producing devices such as hair dryers for drying purposes.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and store hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier overnight to prevent moisture buildup.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These soak up excess sweat and safeguard both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outside chores.
- Avoid Moisture Buildup: To keep your hearing aids working effectively, be certain to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Regular Maintenance: To avoid bacterial accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, apply a daily cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes suitable for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Regularly Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to occasionally examine your devices for any accumulation of debris, including dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the required steps to remove it. Regular cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid permanent damage.
- Don’t forget to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Be sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device function and get professional help
If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery life during summer months, don’t wait to consult your hearing care professional. They are able to perform essential upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work effectively.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. With attentive care and a few simple 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.
If you’re not sure about the best way to protect your hearing aids or need professional maintenance, make an appointment today. Enjoy your summer to the fullest, knowing your hearing aids are ready for any adventure.