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 get-togethers. However, warm weather and outdoor environments bring unique obstacles for hearing aid users. To make sure your devices continue to working flawlessly through the season, it’s important to recognize how to care for them properly during summer.
Summer challenges encountered by individuals with hearing aids
Each season introduces its own obstacles for hearing aid users, and summer’s warm, frequently humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are some typical problems you may encounter during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities raise moisture exposure for hearing aids. High humidity levels can permeate into delicate electronic components, potentially causing malfunctions or corrosion. Exposure to even minimal humidity within your devices can compromise audio effectiveness or cause permanent damage.
Wind and outdoor elements
Powerful winds can cause hearing aids to become loose in your ears or introduce particles like dust, sand, and debris into fragile areas, posing more than just a slight aggravation. Outdoor activities like gardening, beach outings, or sports can expose your hearing aids to dust particles that hinder their performance.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like keeping them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or distortion of plastic parts. Intense heat accelerates deterioration and reduces the lifespan of devices.
Summer guidelines for safeguarding your hearing aids
By adopting a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids remain secure, moisture-free, and functioning optimally throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Take them out Before Swimming or Showering: Always take out your hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or any water exposure. To stop water from getting into your ears, consider using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe your devices if they get wet. Never use heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and keep hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier at night to remove moisture buildup.
2. Control sweating during exercise
- Use Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and safeguard both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outdoor chores.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Routinely dry your ears thoroughly before reinserting hearing aids to avoid moisture transfer.
3. Ensure a sanitary environment
- Regular Maintenance: To avoid bacterial accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, incorporate a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Routinely Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s important to periodically examine your devices for any build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the required steps to eliminate it. Professional cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can avoid long-term damage.
- Appropriate Storage: Keep 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 performance and consult a professional for help
If you experience differences in how well you hear, any sounds coming from your hearing device, or how long the battery lasts in the warmer season, make sure to contact your hearing specialist without delay. They are able to perform essential maintenance or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work properly.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids.
Summer is a time for forging lasting experiences, not for worrying about your hearing devices. By being attentive and taking basic steps to protect your devices, you can ensure they can withstand hot temperatures, moisture, and outdoor conditions. This will allow you to enjoy clear sound while experiencing conversations, bird songs, and water splashes.
If you’re not sure about the best way to safeguard your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.