Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Still not convinced? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend a little time out on the ice. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot cocoa is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But the key here is using the right gear. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are made to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The makers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re designed to accompany you throughout your normal daily tasks.
The majority of hearing aids are designed to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes go below -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most settings. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they may work, they may not operate at their best.
Some winter hearing aid guidelines
Luckily, there are certain things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will drain faster in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And your hearing aids will function at their best level if they’re warm. Your next question may be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: 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 wear hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. This means your hearing aid can probably get a little wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Speak with us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to lessen discomfort.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by making use of accessories.: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially important if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then leave it somewhere warm and dry.
Maybe you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got 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 (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you diagnose the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some yummy hot soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
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 could impact the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!