Contrary to popular opinion, winter is fun! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go sledding or skiing. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the right gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s a major caveat: you need the right gear to remain comfortable. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air impact my hearing aids? Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be used on a daily basis. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes get colder than -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in most environments and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might operate, they might not work at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
Luckily, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. And your hearing aids will work at their optimal level if they’re warm. Your next question may 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.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: When snow melts, it’s wet, 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 raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die quicker in the cold. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any inclement weather.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Maybe you’re not certain how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. Normally, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: In order to make sure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. This can be particularly relevant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still can’t determine why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Perhaps you aren’t a winter person. Maybe you’re going to make yourself some yummy warm soup. Perhaps you’re not a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather may effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!