Lots of people really enjoy winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be a challenge. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find lots of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are only a few examples of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the proper gear.
But that’s an important caveat: you need the proper gear to remain comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are made to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be worn every day. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a robust 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 designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for the majority of hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most settings. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they may work, they may not work optimally.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids operating at near maximum efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid cozy. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be working. 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 continue to work.
- Speak with us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Talk to us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to minimize discomfort.
- Monitor your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will drain quicker in the cold. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: 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 participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is especially true.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: 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 snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- 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. In most cases, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? That’s precisely what we’re going to explore.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid might occasionally stop working. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). If you still can’t determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a nice warm bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe 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 during the winter.
If you follow the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is especially true. Give us a call if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.