Lots of individuals really love winter! Okay, it can certainly be a bummer if you have to get somewhere. Or if you aren’t properly prepared. But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Still not convinced? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. 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 proper gear.
But the secret here is using the right gear. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather impact my hearing aids? Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are manufactured to be used every day. They’re built so you can wear them to the supermarket, out on a hike, or simply around the house. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
As a result, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (though there are some places, particularly up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most settings. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the winter? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might operate, they may not operate at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
Luckily, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Try donning a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be working. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still work if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will continue to work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be particularly significant 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 problems if you keep moisture out of it. Perhaps you aren’t sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In most cases, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before heading out into any inclement weather.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- 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 wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not necessarily waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still aren’t able to determine why they’re not working, we should be able to help you with that.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
There are lots of reasons why you may want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you don’t enjoy the cold. Maybe a nice hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. What’s essential here is not to let issues with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Call us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.