You’ve got a lively summer planned. Plenty of beach time and lots of swimming for sure. 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. Your schedule is going to be rather full. So it’s essential that your hearing aids are ready.
Summer activities like these can be difficult on your hearing aids, but these little helpful devices can be safeguarded without it slowing your summer fun.
Challenges of hearing aids during the summer
Every season is going to present distinct difficulties when it comes to your hearing aids. During the summer, most of those challenges are weather and climate related.
Here are some summer related challenges:
- Dirt and debris: During the summer you’re actually active. But sand inside of your hearing aid, such as beach sand, can lead to issues.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can jerk and yank at your hearing aids. Depending on the environment, powerful winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or just sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. That’s problematic because moisture can be a major issue for hearing aids.
In general, it’s quite apparent why these problems are more widespread in the summer months: you spend more time outside. And you’re more likely to encounter a sudden rain storm or a strong wind when you’re outdoors so often.
How to keep your hearing aids working great all summer
Your hearing aids are made to allow you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So throughout the summer, most individuals want to use their hearing aids as often as they can. Caring for your hearing aids by taking a few extra steps can make that happen.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse the possible damage. Keep moisture at bay with these tips:
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears completely will help prevent the unintentional transfer of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery compartment. This will help prevent damage from corrosion of the battery.
- Use a headband when you’re exercising. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Keep a microfiber towel nearby. That way, you can dry your hearing aids all through the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t paying attention.
- Don’t bring your hearing aids into the water. Going for a swim? Great! Just take out your hearing aids first. Obviously, this is common sense. So lingering moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. That’s why you should consider wearing a swim cap and earplugs when you go swimming. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will remain nice and dry.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids clean
Moisture and heat can both hasten the growth of bacteria. During the summer particularly, take measures to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some guidelines:
- Routinely disinfect your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a dry, cool place. That’s because hearing aids (as a general rule) don’t do well with exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So don’t put them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, make sure they’re tucked away someplace dry and cool when you aren’t wearing them.
- Don’t let debris accumulate over time. As you’re sanitizing your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clear away any debris that may have accumulated. Sooner or later, it’s most likely also a good idea to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids are made to accompany you throughout your life, and that’s certainly true of the summer season. So whether you’re planning on swimming in the lake, hiking over a mountain, or taking a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to ensure your hearing aids remain dry and keep working.
