Summer is a season full of adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable times. Whether you’re spending time by the pool, going to summer concerts, hiking trails, or simply enjoying backyard cookouts, your hearing aids play a crucial role in keeping you connected. However, warm weather and outside environments bring unique obstacles for hearing aid users. Ensuring your devices operate properly throughout the warmer months requires a strong understanding of proper maintenance and upkeep techniques specifically adapted for the summer season.
Summer difficulties faced by people who use hearing aids
Every season introduces its own challenges for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices in jeopardy. Here are a few common issues 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 infiltrate delicate electronic parts, which may lead to operational problems or rusting. Even small amounts of moisture inside your devices can affect sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outdoor elements
Strong breezes aren’t just an annoyance, they can dislodge hearing aids from your ears or present dust, sand, and debris into delicate parts. Outdoor activities like gardening, beach trips, or sports can subject your hearing aids to dirt particles that interfere with their performance.
Heat and sun exposure
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like leaving them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or melting of plastic parts. Intense heat speeds up deterioration and reduces the longevity of devices.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
With a few sensible practices, you can keep your hearing aids safe, dry, and working at their best, no matter what your summer plans are.
1. Protect your hearing aids against water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s important to remove your hearing aids prior to participating in any aquatic activities, including swimming or showering, to avoid damage from water exposure. To stop water from getting into your ears, think about using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- After being exposed to moisture, be certain to gently dry your devices using a soft microfiber cloth. Never use heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To reduce moisture build-up, 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. Control sweating during exercise
- Use Sweatbands or Headbands: These soak up excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outside chores.
- Avoid Moisture Buildup: To keep your hearing aids functioning effectively, make sure to dry your ears completely after showering or bathing before putting them back in.
3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
- Daily Maintenance: To prevent bacterial buildup triggered by moisture and body heat, incorporate a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Regularly 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 steps to remove it. Regular cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Refrain from leaving them exposed to sunlight or hot temperatures.
4. Monitor device function and get professional help
If you notice any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery life during summer months, don’t wait to consult your hearing care professional. They can carry out required upkeep or repairs to keep your hearing aids functioning smoothly.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating long lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. By being mindful and taking basic steps to protect your devices, you can ensure they can endure hot temperatures, moisture, and outdoor conditions. This will allow you to enjoy clear sound while experiencing discussions, bird songs, and water splashes.
If you’re unsure about the best way to safeguard your hearing aids or need professional maintenance, schedule an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.