Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find plenty of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe us? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could go 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, fall if you have the right gear.
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the correct gear to stay comfortable. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air impact my hearing aids? Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or simply around the house. The makers of these devices understand that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t recommend you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re made to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
Consequently, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can function quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in most settings and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they may work, they might not operate optimally.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids operating at near peak efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? In most instances, you can dry it off and then leave it somewhere dry and warm.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: 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.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to ensure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can make use of one of many available clips or straps. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically relevant.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be mindful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. So while your hearing aid will most likely be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try donning a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you have some answers.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Sometimes, 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 (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are good and dry). If you still aren’t able to determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay indoors. Maybe you don’t enjoy the cold. Possibly you’re going to cook yourself some yummy hot soup. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
If you observe the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. If you have any questions about how cold weather might impact the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!