Lots of individuals really enjoy winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are just a few instances of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. 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 outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the correct gear.
But the key here is having the right gear. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Or can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re built so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or simply around the house. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re manufactured to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
The majority of hearing aids are manufactured to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can work quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (though there are some places, especially up north, that will sometimes get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. 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 might work, they may not operate optimally.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to function at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly relevant.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help stop moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? Normally, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
- Talk to us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Try donning a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, too! And your hearing aids will function at their best level if they are warm. Maybe 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 keep working.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you’ve got some answers.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you determine the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are lots of reasons why you may want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you aren’t a winter person. Maybe you’re going to cook yourself some nice hot soup. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s important here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even during the winter.
If you follow the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be impacted by the cold.
