Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to go anywhere. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Don’t believe us? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the right gear.
But the key here is having the right gear. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather impact my hearing aids? Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be worn every day. They’re built so you can wear them to the supermarket, out for a hike, or simply around the house. The makers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a resilient construction. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
As a result, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes get colder than -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in most environments and that’s a great thing. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the winter? Hearing aids will function in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to function at peak efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: There are all manner of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially important if you’re involved in strenuous activity, such as skiing, skating, or sledding.
- It helps to wear a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears cozy, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, also! And your hearing aids will work at their optimal level if they’re warm. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a smart idea: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die quicker in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer problems if you keep moisture out of it. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? Normally, you can wipe it down and let it air dry in a warm spot.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a delicious hot bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather might impact the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!