The summer months provide a wide range of stimulating experiences, exhilarating outdoor activities, and unforgettable experiences that create lifelong memories. Your hearing aids are essential for staying connected as you take part in activities like lounging by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard cookouts. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose various complications for individuals who depend on hearing aids. Ensuring your devices function properly throughout the warmer months requires a solid grasp of appropriate maintenance and upkeep techniques specifically adapted for the summer season.
Common summer obstacles for hearing aid users
Each season introduces its own obstacles for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are some typical problems you might encounter during the summer months:
Humidity and moisture
Exposure to moisture from activities involving water, rain, or excessive sweating can pose a risk to hearing aids. High humidity levels can permeate into fragile electronic components, potentially creating malfunctions or corrosion. Exposure to even minimal humidity within your devices can compromise audio effectiveness or lead to irreversible damage.
Wind and outside elements
Strong breezes aren’t simply an annoyance, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, sand, and debris into delicate parts. Participating in outside 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 function.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like keeping them on a car dashboard, can result in overheating, decreased battery life, or distortion of plastic parts. Intense heat speeds up deterioration and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Summer tips for safeguarding your hearing aids
With a few practical practices, you can keep your hearing aids safe, dry, and working at their best, regardless of your summer plans are.
1. Shield your hearing aids from water
- Take them out Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, showering, or any water exposure. Utilize swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Never utilize heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To decrease moisture accumulation, leave the battery compartments open and place the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out thoroughly.
2. Manage sweat and physical activity
- Think about wearing sweatbands or headbands to absorb excess sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while exercising or doing tasks outside.
- Avoid Moisture Accumulation: To keep your hearing aids working effectively, be certain to dry your ears completely after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Ensure a sanitary environment
- Frequent Cleaning Routine: Clean your hearing aids every day with disinfectant wipes designed for electronics or hearing devices to decrease bacteria growth caused by heat and sweat.
- 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 steps to eliminate it. Expert cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device operation and consult a professional for assistance
If you detect differences in how well you hear, any noises coming from your hearing device, or how long the battery lasts in the warmer season, make sure to reach out to your hearing specialist without delay. They can perform necessary maintenance or repairs to keep your hearing aids functioning efficiently.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is meant for making memories, not for stressing about your hearing aids. 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 not sure about the best way to safeguard your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, schedule an appointment today. Enjoy your summer to the fullest, knowing your hearing aids are ready for any adventure.