You’re planning a very active summer. You’re definitely going to hit the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some day-to-day running and then maybe attend a ball game or two before heading home and grilling up some tasty dinner. You’ll be busy! And you want to be sure your hearing aids are up to the challenge.
Summer activities like these can be tough on your hearing aids, but these little helpful devices can be protected without it slowing your summer fun.
Summer hearing aid challenges
Every season will present distinct challenges with regards to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the biggest challenges during the summer.
Summer-related challenges might include:
- Moisture: In the summer, moisture is nearly always present, whether from sweat, rain, swimming, or humidity. That’s problematic because moisture can be a huge issue for hearing aids.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can jerk and yank at your hearing aids. Depending on the climate, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Dirt and debris: You’re active during the summer. But sand in your hearing aid, like beach sand, can cause problems.
For the most part, it’s fairly apparent why these issues are more common in the summer months: you spend more time outside. And you’re more likely to experience a surprise rain storm or a powerful wind when you’re outdoors so often.
How to keep your hearing aids in good working order all summer
Your hearing aids are made to make it possible for you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. The majority of people who use hearing aids will want to use them as much as they can, especially through the summer. This means taking a few extra steps to care for the technology and make sure your hearing aids keep working.
Take actions to keep your hearing aids dry
We’ve established that moisture is the enemy of a well-functioning hearing aid (the more advanced the electronics, the worse water is). Keep moisture at bay with these tips:
- Don’t go swimming while wearing your hearing aids. Going for a swim? Great! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before going into the water. Naturally, the majority of individuals already do this. So the real danger is the moisture in your ears that remains after you go into the water. 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.
- Air dry your hearing aids while you sleep by opening the battery compartment. This will help prevent damage from corrosion of the battery.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. In that manner, you can dry out your hearing aids all through the day. In this way, you can avoid the build-up of wetness.
- When you’re performing an activity that will cause you to sweat, wear a sweatband. Your hearing aids will stay nice and dry because sweat can’t reach them.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears completely will help prevent the unintentional transfer of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids clean
The growth of bacteria is quickened by moisture and heat. So you should also do a few things to make sure your hearing aids are remaining clean during the summer months. Here are some tips:
- Routinely sanitize your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are available for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a dry, cool spot. That’s because hearing aids (generally) don’t do well with exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So don’t store them on your dashboard on a hot summer day. Alternatively, when you’re not using them, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot.
- Watch for the long-term build-up of debris. You can take a few minutes to clear away any debris on your hearing aids while you sanitize them. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is necessary.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
Your hearing aids will help you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. You can keep your hearing aids dry and in good working order whether you’re hiking, swimming, or simply taking an evening stroll around your neighborhood.