The summer months provide 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 vital part in keeping you connected. Warmer temperatures and outdoor settings can present distinct complications for individuals who depend on hearing aids. To make sure your devices keep working flawlessly through the season, it’s essential to recognize how to take care of them properly during summer.
Common summer challenges for hearing aid users
The changing seasons can present unique difficulties for people who use hearing aids, with the hot and humid weather of summer being particularly hazardous to the proper functioning of these devices. Typical summer issues to watch out for:
Humidity and moisture
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a risk to hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate sensitive electronic parts, which might lead to operational issues or rusting. Even small amounts of moisture inside your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.
Wind and outside elements
Strong breezes aren’t simply an aggravation, they can displace hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, dirt, and debris into delicate parts. Participating in outdoor pursuits such as gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports might subject your hearing aids to dirt and debris that can affect how well they function.
Heat and sun exposure
Leaving hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, such as a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drainage, or melting of plastic components. Intense heat speeds up wear and tear and decreases the lifespan of devices.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
With a few practical habits, 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 take out your hearing aids before swimming, bathing, or any water exposure. To stop water from entering into your ears, think about using swim caps or waterproof earplugs.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Steer clear of using heat-producing devices like hair dryers for drying purposes.
- To reduce 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. Control perspiration during exercise
- Think about using sweatbands or headbands to soak up excess sweat and shield your ears and hearing devices while working out or doing tasks outside.
- Prevent 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 accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, apply a day-to-day cleaning routine of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes suitable for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Eliminate Debris: Examine your devices frequently for dust, dirt, or earwax buildup and clean as necessary. Expert cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can avoid long-term damage.
- Remember to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry location when they are not being used. Avoid leaving them exposed to sunlight or high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device operation and speak with a professional for assistance
If you experience changes in how well you hear, any sounds coming from your hearing device, or how long the battery lasts in the warmer season, be certain to contact your hearing specialist without hesitation. They are able to conduct essential maintenance or repairs in order to ensure that your hearing aids work effectively.
Take pleasure in a worry-free summer with well-cared-for hearing aids
Summer is a time for creating long lasting experiences, not for worrying about your hearing devices. With mindful care and a few simple preventative measures, your devices can handle the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you enjoy 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 maintenance, schedule an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the confidence that your hearing aids can keep up with every thrilling experience.