Lots of people really love winter! Alright, it can certainly be a bummer if you need to get somewhere. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But there are plenty of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are just a few instances of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But the secret here is having the appropriate gear. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather affect my hearing aids? Or can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are manufactured to be worn on a daily basis. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers understand that these devices may take a beating. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
Consequently, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can work quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (although there are some places, particularly up north, that will sometimes get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Some winter hearing aid tips
You can keep your hearing aids working at near maximum efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Make sure 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 certain you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- 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. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly true.
- Speak with us about the fit of your hearing aids: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a bit wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than you have to.
- It’s helpful to wear earmuffs or a hat: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be functioning. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still continue to work.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Maybe you’re not certain how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. Normally, you can wipe it down and let it air dry in a warm spot.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
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 steps to troubleshoot your device (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). If you still aren’t able to 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!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you don’t like the cold. Maybe you’re going to make yourself some yummy warm soup. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let issues with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and follow the tips outlined above. Contact us if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids may be impacted by the cold.