Contrary to popular opinion, winter is fun! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to get somewhere. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the proper gear.
But the key here is using the appropriate gear. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted 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 manufactured to be used on a daily basis. They’re built 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 beating. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re made to accompany you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can work quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some places that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the winter? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they may operate, they might not operate at their best.
Some winter hearing aid guidelines
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- 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. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically relevant.
- 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. So before you go out in the cold, be sure your battery is completely charged.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be cautious about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the rain or snow, the answer is yes. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be okay if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Maybe you’re not certain how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of situations, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, 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.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, as well! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be functioning. 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.
Maybe you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. There are a few standard troubleshooting measures you can take (for instance, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). But if those steps aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you identify the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay indoors. Perhaps you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a nice hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Contact us if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.