The summer months offer a wealth of exciting experiences, exhilarating outdoor adventures, and wonderful experiences that create lifelong memories. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, attending summer concerts, hiking trails, or just enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a crucial role in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose distinct difficulties for people who rely on hearing aids. Ensuring your devices operate smoothly throughout the warmer months requires a strong grasp of proper maintenance and upkeep techniques specifically tailored for the summer season.
Summer difficulties encountered by people with hearing aids
Every season presents its own challenges for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are some typical 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 risk to hearing aids. Extreme moisture levels have the ability to penetrate sensitive electronic components, which might result in operational issues or rusting. Exposure to even minor humidity within your devices can compromise audio effectiveness or cause permanent damage.
Wind and outside elements
Strong winds can cause hearing aids to become loose in your ears or introduce particles like dust, sand, and debris into delicate areas, posing more than just a slight inconvenience. Outside activities like gardening, beach outings, or sports can subject your hearing aids to dust particles that interfere with their performance.
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, decreased battery life, or distortion of plastic parts. Intense heat speeds up wear and tear and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of useful habits, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and working efficiently throughout the summer, regardless of your activities.
1. Safeguard your hearing aids from water
- Take them out Before Swimming or Showering: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or any water exposure. Use swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- After being exposed to moisture, make sure to gently dry your devices using a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid using heat-producing devices like hair dryers for drying purposes.
- Air Out Overnight: Open the battery compartments and store hearing aids in a drying container or dehumidifier at night to remove moisture buildup.
2. Control sweating during exercise
- Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These soak up excess sweat and safeguard both your ears and hearing aids during exercise or doing outside chores.
- Prevent Moisture Accumulation: To keep your hearing aids functioning properly, be certain to dry your ears completely after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Ensure a sanitary environment
- Regular Maintenance: To prevent bacterial accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, incorporate a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes suitable for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Remove Debris: Inspect your devices frequently for dust, dirt, or earwax accumulation and clean as necessary. Regular cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term harm.
- Remember to keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Be sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device operation and speak with 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 work properly.
Take pleasure in a worry-free summer with well-cared-for hearing aids
Summer is a time for forging long lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. With attentive care and a few simple precautions, 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 unsure about the best way to protect your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Enjoy your summer to the fullest, knowing your hearing aids are ready for any adventure.