Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be a challenge. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are only a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. You could take a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. With the right gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot cocoa is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the proper gear to stay comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are made to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or just around the house. Which means that hearing aid makers understand that these devices may take a pounding. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re manufactured to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
The majority of hearing aids are manufactured to be basically “all weather” as a result. 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 otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in most settings and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids functioning at close to maximum efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And your hearing aids will operate at their optimal level if they’re warm. Maybe you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: 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.
- Try not to let your hearing aid 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 necessarily waterproof. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a bit wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than you have to.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: In order to ensure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. If you’re doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is especially true.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: This will help stop moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? In most instances, you can dry it off and then leave it someplace dry and warm.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you have some answers.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few standard troubleshooting steps you can take (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). If you still can’t figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
There are a lot of reasons why you may want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Possibly you’re going to cook yourself some yummy warm soup. Maybe you aren’t 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 guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Give us a call if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids might be impacted by the cold.