Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Alright, it can certainly be a bummer if you have to go somewhere. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those chillier winter months.
Still not convinced? Well, here are just a few instances of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go skiing or sledding. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s a major caveat: you need the proper gear to remain comfortable. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air affect my hearing aids? Or can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be used every day. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the supermarket, out on a hike, or just around the house. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers understand that these devices may take a pounding. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
Most 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 spots that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in most settings and that’s a great thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they may operate, they may not work at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids operating at close to peak efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by making use of accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially relevant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Talk to us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Talk to us about the fit of your devices to give yourself the opportunity to decrease discomfort.
- Make sure 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 make sure you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- Try donning a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Your next question may be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a smart idea: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not necessarily waterproof. This means your hearing aid can most likely get a little wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- 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 certain how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. In most instances, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I protect my hearing aids in the winter? That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid might occasionally stop working. There are a few practical troubleshooting measures you can take (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay indoors. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather might effect the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!