You’re planning a really active summer. You’re definitely going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll take in some live entertainment, you’ll get lots of exercise jogging or maybe playing some tennis, then it’s time to hit the grill. You’ll be busy! And you want to make sure your hearing aids are up to the challenge.
Each of these experiences can introduce unique challenges for your hearing aids, but there are a few easy ways you can protect these tiny, helpful devices and enjoy your summer too.
Challenges of hearing aids in the summer
With hearing aids, each season will come with distinctive difficulties. Climate and weather are the leading challenges in the summer.
Here are some summer related obstacles:
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s powerful enough. Depending on the climate, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Dirt and debris: In the summer you’re actually active. But when you go to the beach, there’s a good possibility you might get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that may cause issues.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from humidity, swimming, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. That’s a problem because moisture can be a huge problem for hearing aids.
For the most part, it’s fairly apparent why these issues are more prevalent in the summer months: you spend more time outdoors. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter a strong gust of wind or a sudden rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are made to enhance your quality of life, to make it possible for you to do more. The majority of people who wear hearing aids will want to use them as much as they can, particularly during the summer. This means doing a few extra things to take care of the technology and make sure your hearing aids keep working.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more advanced the electronics, the worse the potential damage. Keep moisture at bay with these tips:
- Keep a microfiber towel handy. That way, you can dry out your hearing aids all through the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t watching.
- Don’t go swimming while wearing your hearing aids. Going swimming? Nice! Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before going into the water. Naturally, this is common sense. So lingering wetness in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a good idea. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) nice and dry.
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, wear a sweatband. Your hearing aids will stay quite dry because sweat can’t reach them.
- Air dry your hearing aids while you sleep by opening the battery compartment. This will help keep the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears completely will help prevent the unintentional transference of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
Routinely clean your hearing aids
The growth of bacteria is quickened by moisture and heat. So you should also take a few steps to make sure your hearing aids are remaining clean over the summer months. Here are some guidelines:
- Don’t let debris accumulate over time. As you’re disinfecting your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clean out any debris that might have built-up. Sooner or later, it’s most likely also a good idea to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
- Routinely sanitize your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool and dry place. That’s because hearing aids (as a general rule) don’t do well with exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So keep them off of your dashboard when it’s hot. Alternatively, make certain they’re tucked away someplace cool and dry when you’re not wearing them.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
Your hearing aids are made to accompany you throughout your life, and that’s definitely true of the summer months. So whether you’re planning on swimming in the lake, hiking up a mountain, or going for a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to ensure your hearing aids remain dry and keep working.