Summer is a season full of adventure, outdoor fun, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, attending summer concerts, hiking trails, or simply enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a crucial part in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose various difficulties for individuals who depend on hearing aids. To be certain your devices keep working perfectly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to care for them correctly during summer.
Summer difficulties encountered by people with hearing aids
The changing seasons can present unique difficulties for individuals who wear hearing aids, with the hot and humid weather of summer being especially harmful to the proper functioning of these devices. Here are some typical issues you might encounter during the summer months:
Humidity and moisture
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a risk to hearing aids. High humidity levels can seep into fragile electronic components, potentially creating malfunctions or corrosion. Even small amounts of moisture within your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.
Outdoor elements and wind
Strong winds can cause hearing aids to become loose in your ears or introduce particles like dust, sand, and debris into delicate areas, presenting more than just a slight aggravation. Outdoor activities like gardening, beach outings, or sports can subject your hearing aids to dust particles that hinder their performance.
Heat and sun exposure
Keeping hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, including a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drain, or melting of plastic components. Extreme heat speeds up deterioration and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Summer guidelines for safeguarding your hearing aids
By embracing a handful of helpful habits, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and functioning efficiently throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s important to take out your hearing aids before participating in any aquatic activities, including swimming or showering, to avoid damage from water exposure. To prevent water from entering into your ears, consider using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Steer clear of using heat-producing devices like hair dryers for drying purposes.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and store hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier at night to prevent moisture accumulation.
2. Control perspiration during exercise
- Think about using sweatbands or headbands to absorb excess sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while exercising or doing work outside.
- Prevent Moisture Accumulation: To keep your hearing aids functioning effectively, make sure to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Daily Maintenance: To prevent 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.
- Eliminate Debris: Examine your devices frequently for dust, dirt, or earwax accumulation and clean as necessary. Professional cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Avoid leaving them exposed to sunlight or hot temperatures.
4. Monitor device function and seek professional help
If you experience changes 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 vital upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work effectively.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is meant for creating memories, not for worrying about your hearing aids. By being attentive and taking basic steps to safeguard 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, schedule an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.