Lots of individuals really love winter! Alright, it can definitely be a bummer if you have to get anywhere. Or if you aren’t properly prepared. But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Don’t believe us? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the right gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s an important caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. 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 made to be used full-time. They’re made to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The makers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Most hearing aids are designed 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. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (even though there are some places, especially up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most environments. 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 might operate, they may not operate at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids working at near maximum efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: In order to be sure 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 specifically relevant.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a good idea: Be careful 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 snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. This means your hearing aid can probably get a little wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- It helps to wear a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And your hearing aids will work at their best level if they are warm. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still work if you have earmuffs over them. Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still continue to work.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will drain quicker in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is fully charged.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. You’re most likely asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? In most instances, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere dry and warm.
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 stops working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally quit working. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (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 assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a nice warm bowl of soup would hit the spot. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Give us a call if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be impacted by the cold.
