The summer months offer a wide range of exciting experiences, thrilling outdoor adventures, and unforgettable experiences that create lifelong memories. Your hearing aids are essential for remaining connected as you engage in activities like chilling by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard get-togethers. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose distinct difficulties for individuals who depend on hearing aids. To be certain your devices keep working perfectly through the season, it’s essential to understand how to care for them correctly during summer.
Summer challenges encountered by people who use hearing aids
Every season presents its own obstacles for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, frequently humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are a few common problems you might encounter during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Sweat, rain, and water activities raise moisture exposure for hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to penetrate sensitive electronic components, which may result in operational problems or rusting. Exposure to even minimal humidity within your devices can jeopardize audio effectiveness or lead to irreversible damage.
Wind and outdoor elements
Strong breezes aren’t just an aggravation, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, dirt, and debris into delicate parts. Engaging in outdoor pursuits such as gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports may expose your hearing aids to dirt and debris that can impact how well they work.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like leaving them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or melting of plastic parts. Extreme heat speeds up deterioration and decreases the longevity of devices.
Tips to safeguard your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of useful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and working efficiently throughout the summer, regardless of your activities.
1. Shield your hearing aids from water
- Remove Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or any water exposure. To stop water from entering into your ears, consider using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Never use heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To reduce moisture accumulation, leave the battery door open and store the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out completely.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Think about using sweatbands or headbands to soak up excess sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while exercising or doing work outside.
- Avoid Moisture Accumulation: To keep your hearing aids functioning effectively, make sure to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Daily Maintenance: To avoid bacterial buildup triggered by moisture and body heat, apply a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Regularly Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s important to periodically inspect your devices for any build-up of debris, including dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the required measures to remove it. Professional cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can prevent long-term damage.
- Remember to keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry location when they are not being used. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device performance and consult a professional for help
If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery drainage during summer months, don’t hesitate to consult your hearing care professional. They are able to conduct essential upkeep or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids function effectively.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating long lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. With mindful care and a few easy preventative measures, your devices can take on the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you experience every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.
If you’re unsure about the best way to safeguard your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every thrilling experience.