In contrast to popular belief, winter is fun! Alright, it can definitely be a bummer if you have to get anywhere. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are only a few examples of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go skiing or sledding. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot cocoa is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But the secret here is using the appropriate gear. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are manufactured to be worn every day. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or just around the house. The makers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
Consequently, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can work quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -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 settings. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Hearing aids will function in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids operating at near maximum efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially significant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, such as skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Maybe you aren’t certain how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then leave it somewhere dry and warm.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid cozy. And your hearing aids will operate at their optimal level if they are warm. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die quicker in the cold. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a good idea: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be mindful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. This means your hearing aid can probably get a little wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you determine the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay indoors. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Perhaps a nice hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe you’re not a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s important here is not to let problems with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
If you follow the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Call us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.