You’ve got an active summer planned. You’re definitely going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll enjoy some live entertainment, you’ll get plenty of exercise jogging or possibly playing some tennis, then it’s time to hit the grill. Your schedule is going to be pretty full. So it’s essential that your hearing aids are prepared.
All of these activities can present unique challenges for your hearing aids, but there are some easy ways you can safeguard these tiny, helpful devices and enjoy your summer too.
Challenges of hearing aids in the summer
With hearing aids, each season will have distinctive challenges. In the summer, many of those challenges are weather and climate related.
Here are some summer related challenges:
- Wind: A strong enough wind can tug and pull at your hearing aids. And if you’re in an especially dry climate, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
- Debris, sand and dirt: In the summer you’re really active. But when you go to the beach, there’s a good chance you could get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that could cause problems.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is just about always present in the summer. That’s a problem because moisture can be a huge problem for hearing aids.
Part of the reason why these issues are more likely to crop up during the summer is self-evident: you tend to be outside more often. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter a powerful gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are manufactured to allow you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So throughout the summer, most people want to wear their hearing aids as frequently as possible. Caring for your hearing aids by taking some extra steps can make that happen.
Take actions to keep your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse the potential damage. Protect against moisture with these tips:
- Have a microfiber towel handy. In that manner, you can dry out your hearing aids all through the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t watching.
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids while you sleep and allow them to air dry. This will help stop the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- Don’t go swimming while wearing your hearing aids. Going swimming? Great! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before going into the water. Naturally, most individuals already do this. So lingering moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. Using a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a smart idea. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) nice and dry.
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, wear a sweatband. Your hearing aids will stay quite dry because sweat can’t get to them.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
Regularly clean your hearing aids
The growth of bacteria is quickened by heat and moisture. During the summer particularly, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. You can do the following:
- Store your hearing aids in a dry, cool spot. That’s because hearing aids (generally) don’t do well with exposure to direct sunlight and heat. So keep them off your dashboard on hot days. Alternatively, when you’re not using them, keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place.
- Sanitize your hearing aids regularly. This can be accomplished with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
- Watch for the long-term accumulation of debris. You can take a little time to clear away any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sooner or later, it’s most likely also a good plan to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
Your hearing aids are designed to accompany you throughout your life, and that’s definitely true of the summer months. So whether you’re planning on swimming in the lake, hiking over a mountain, or taking a stroll around the neighborhood, there’s a way to make sure your hearing aids stay dry and keep working.