Lots of people really enjoy winter! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to get somewhere. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe it? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the proper gear.
But the secret here is having the appropriate gear. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air impact my hearing aids? Will 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 designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid makers are aware that these devices may take a pounding. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything extreme with them.
Consequently, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can work quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in the majority of environments and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the winter? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Some winter hearing aid advice
You can keep your hearing aids working at near peak efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be careful 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 great idea to leave it that way longer than you have to.
- 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 probably asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of situations, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere dry and warm.
- It’s helpful to wear 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. Maybe you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: In order to be sure your hearing aids stay securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly true.
- 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. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I protect my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few straightforward troubleshooting steps you can take (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you determine the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you don’t enjoy the cold. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some yummy hot soup. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. What’s essential here is not to let issues with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the guidelines outlined above. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.
