In contrast to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. You can enjoy being outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the correct gear.
But the secret here is using the appropriate gear. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather affect my hearing aids? Or can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are designed to be worn every day. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers understand that these devices might take a pounding. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything extreme with them.
As a result, 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 get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in most settings and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they might work, they may not operate optimally.
Some winter hearing aid guidelines
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to function at peak efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by using 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 particularly significant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid cozy. And your hearing aids will work at their optimal level if they are warm. Maybe you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Talk to us about the fit of your hearing aids: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Speak with us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to decrease discomfort.
- 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 wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a bit wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- Monitor your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help stop moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. Maybe you’re not sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of situations, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
Maybe you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few straightforward troubleshooting measures you can take (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still can’t determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you don’t enjoy the cold. Maybe you’re going to cook yourself some nice warm soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and follow the tips outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather could effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!
