Contrary to popular opinion, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be a challenge. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are plenty of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. 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 outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the right gear.
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the right 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 can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are meant to be used full-time. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid makers are aware that these devices may take a pounding. We don’t recommend you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re manufactured to accompany you throughout your normal daily activities.
Consequently, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can function quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in the majority of settings and that’s a great thing. Now, you may 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 may work, they may not work at their best.
Some winter hearing aid tips
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Speak with us about the fit of your devices to give yourself the chance to decrease discomfort.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm place: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer problems if you keep moisture out of it. Maybe you’re not certain how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. Normally, you can wipe it down and let it air dry in a warm spot.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to be sure your hearing aids stay securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available straps or clips. This can be especially important if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, such as skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. So before you go out in the cold, be sure your battery is completely charged.
- It helps to wear a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be working. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of 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.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the rain or snow, the answer is yes. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for example, make sure 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 identify the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Maybe a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
If you observe the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be impacted by the cold.