Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find plenty of enjoyable things to do.
Still not convinced? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could take a snowmobile ride. You could head 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, fall if you have the correct gear.
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the correct gear to stay comfortable. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air affect my hearing aids? Or can cold weather 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 constructed so you can wear them to the supermarket, out for a hike, or just around the house. The manufacturers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a resilient construction. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything extreme with them.
The majority of hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can function quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most settings. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might work, they might not operate at their best.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Speak with 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.
- It helps to wear earmuffs or a hat: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function 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.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help prevent moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of cases, you can dry it off and then leave it someplace warm and dry.
- Monitor your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Hearing aid batteries don’t generally freeze but they will drain quicker in the cold. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before going out into any inclement weather.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: 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 doing any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly relevant.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a good idea: When snow melts, it’s wet, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be fine if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop 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 (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). If you still can’t determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
There are a lot of reasons why you may want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Perhaps a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let issues with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
If you follow the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is especially true. If you have any questions about how cold weather might impact the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!