In contrast to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you aren’t properly prepared. But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Don’t believe it? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot cocoa is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s a major caveat: you need the right gear to stay comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are made to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the supermarket, out on a hike, or just around the house. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
Consequently, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can operate quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears cozy, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. 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 continue to work.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by using accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is especially true.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Speak with us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the opportunity to decrease discomfort.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Perhaps you’re not sure how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. In most cases, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will drain faster in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, be sure your battery is completely charged.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a smart idea: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I wear hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are usually water resistant. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a little wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still can’t figure out why they’re not working, we should be able to help you with that.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay indoors. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Perhaps a nice warm bowl of soup would hit the spot. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s important here is not to let issues with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. Give us a call if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be impacted by the cold.