Lots of individuals really love winter! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to go somewhere. 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? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go sledding or skiing. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot chocolate is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s a major caveat: you need the proper gear to stay comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re made to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The makers of these devices understand 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.
The majority of hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for the majority of 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 range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they may function, they might not work optimally.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to function at peak efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by using accessories.: In order to be sure your hearing aids stay securely in place in your ears you can make use of one of many available straps or clips. This can be especially 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 wearing them: This will help prevent moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. Perhaps you’re not certain how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
- Speak with us about the fit of your hearing aids: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, also! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still work if you have earmuffs over them. Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be mindful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the rain or snow, the answer is yes. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. So while your hearing aid will most likely be okay if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). But if those steps aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you identify the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay indoors. Perhaps you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some nice hot soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.