Summer is a season full of adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable moments. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, attending summer concerts, hiking trails, or just enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a vital role in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can present various difficulties for individuals who depend on hearing aids. To make sure your devices continue to working perfectly through the season, it’s important to understand how to care for them correctly during summer.
Summer challenges encountered by individuals with hearing aids
Each season presents its own challenges for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, frequently humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are some common problems you may encounter during the summer months:
Moisture and humidity
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a threat to hearing aids. Extreme moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate delicate electronic parts, which may lead to operational issues or rusting. Even modest amounts of moisture inside your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outdoor elements
Strong breezes aren’t simply an annoyance, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or present dust, sand, and debris into sensitive parts. Participating in outdoor pursuits including gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports may expose your hearing aids to dust and debris that can impact how well they work.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Keeping hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, including a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drainage, or melting of plastic components. Extreme heat accelerates wear and tear and shortens device lifespan.
Tips to safeguard your hearing aids all summer long
By embracing a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and working efficiently throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Remove Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, showering, or any water exposure. Use 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 use heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To decrease moisture accumulation, leave the battery door open and place the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to dry out completely.
2. Deal with 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 tasks outside.
- Prevent Moisture Accumulation: To keep your hearing aids functioning effectively, be certain to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Frequent Cleaning Routine: Clean your hearing aids daily with disinfectant wipes designed for electronics or hearing devices to decrease bacteria growth due to heat and sweat.
- Routinely Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s essential to periodically inspect your devices for any build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the necessary measures to remove it. Routine cleanings performed by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term harm.
- Remember to keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry location when they are not being used. Avoid leaving them exposed to sunlight or high temperatures.
4. Monitor device function and seek professional help
If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery life during summer months, don’t wait to get in touch with your hearing care professional. They can perform required maintenance or repairs to keep your hearing aids working efficiently.
Have a hassle-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids.
Summer is meant for creating memories, not for worrying about your hearing aids. With mindful care and a few simple preventative measures, your devices can handle 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 protect your hearing aids or need professional maintenance, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the peace of mind that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.