In contrast to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend a little 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 cocoa is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s an important caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are meant to be used full-time. They’re built so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or just around the house. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to accompany you throughout your normal daily activities.
Most hearing aids are designed to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes get colder than -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in the majority of environments and that’s a great thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they may function, they may not operate at their best.
Some winter hearing aid tips
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- It’s helpful to wear earmuffs or a hat: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, 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. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- 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 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 very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: In order to make sure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can make use of one of many available clips or straps. This can be especially significant if you’re involved in strenuous activity, such as skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Consult us about the fit of your hearing aids: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Check 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. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm place: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In most cases, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
Maybe you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally quit working. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you identify the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
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 inside. Perhaps you don’t enjoy the cold. Possibly you’re going to make yourself some nice hot soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important 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 observe the tips outlined above. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids may be impacted by the cold.