Summer is a season filled with adventure, outdoor fun, and unforgettable moments. Your hearing aids are imperative for staying connected as you take part in activities like chilling by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard cookouts. But, warm weather and outside environments bring distinct obstacles for hearing aid users. To make sure your devices continue to working flawlessly through the season, it’s important to understand how to take care of them correctly during summer.
Common summer obstacles for hearing aid users
Every season presents its own challenges for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, frequently humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Common summer issues to watch out for:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities increase moisture exposure for hearing aids. High humidity levels can permeate into fragile electronic components, potentially causing malfunctions or oxidation. Even modest amounts of moisture within your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outside elements
Strong breezes aren’t simply an aggravation, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, sand, and debris into delicate parts. Outdoor activities like gardening, beach trips, or sports can expose your hearing aids to dirt particles that hinder their performance.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like leaving them on a car dashboard, can result in overheating, decreased battery life, or distortion of plastic parts. Intense heat speeds up wear and tear and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Tips to safeguard your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids remain secure, moisture-free, and functioning efficiently throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Safeguard your hearing aids from water
- Take them out Before Swimming or Showering: Always take out your hearing aids before swimming, showering, or any water exposure. Utilize swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe your devices if they get wet. Never utilize heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To decrease moisture accumulation, leave the battery compartments open and place the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out completely.
2. Control sweating during exercise
- Think about using sweatbands or headbands to soak up excess sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while exercising or doing tasks outside.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Regularly dry your ears completely before reinserting hearing aids to prevent moisture transfer.
3. Ensure a sanitary environment
- Regular Cleaning Routine: Wipe your hearing aids daily with disinfectant wipes designed for electronics or hearing devices to decrease bacteria growth due to heat and sweat.
- Regularly Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to occasionally examine your devices for any accumulation of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the necessary steps to eliminate it. Routine cleanings performed by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term harm.
- Appropriate Storage: Keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place when not in use. Avoid leaving them exposed to sunlight or high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device function and get professional help
If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery life during summer months, don’t wait to consult your hearing care professional. They are able to perform vital upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work effectively.
Take pleasure in a stress-free summer with well-cared-for hearing aids
Summer is meant for making memories, not for stressing about your hearing aids. With mindful care and a few simple preventative measures, your devices can handle the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you experience every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.
For professional guidance on protecting your hearing aids or to arrange a thorough check-up, book a consultation with a specialist at your earliest convenience. Make the most of your summer with the peace of mind that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.
