Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be a challenge. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are only a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend a little time out on the ice. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But the key here is having the appropriate gear. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. 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 on a daily basis. 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 are well aware 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 extreme with them.
The majority of hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (though there are some places, particularly up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
You will be capable of hearing well in the majority of environments and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will function in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is especially relevant.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a smart idea: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a bit wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- It helps to wear earmuffs or a hat: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And your hearing aids will function at their best level if they are warm. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will continue to work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Make sure 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, be sure your battery is completely charged.
- When you aren’t wearing your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Perhaps you aren’t sure how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. Normally, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I protect my hearing aids in the winter? That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally quit working. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for instance, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Perhaps a nice hot bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and follow the tips outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather could effect the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!