Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be a challenge. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But during those cold winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Well, here are only 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 go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the right gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot cocoa is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But the secret here is using the appropriate gear. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather affect my hearing aids? Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be worn every day. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers are aware that these devices might take a pounding. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re manufactured to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
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 get colder than -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
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 work as well in the winter? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids functioning at close to peak efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Talk to us about the fit of your hearing aids: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Talk to us about the fit of your devices to give yourself the chance to decrease discomfort.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. 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 necessarily 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 necessary.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by using accessories.: There are all kinds 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 true.
- 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 operate at their maximum level if they’re warm. 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.
- 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. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
Maybe you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit 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 (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still can’t determine why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you don’t like the cold. Perhaps a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. 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 especially true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather could effect the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!
