Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you have to go somewhere. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are only a few instances of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! 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 right gear.
But that’s an important caveat: you need the proper gear to remain comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be used every day. They’re made to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers understand that these devices might take a beating. But just because hearing aids are designed to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
As a result, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (although there are some places, particularly up north, that will sometimes get colder than -13 degrees).
You will be capable of hearing well in most environments and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
Fortunately, 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.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a smart idea: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be mindful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. This means your hearing aid can probably get a bit wet, but it’s not a very good idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- It helps to wear earmuffs or a hat: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, as well! And your hearing aids will work at their best level if they’re warm. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Use 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 true.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. So before you go out in the cold, be sure your battery is fully charged.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm place: This will help prevent moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In most cases, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere warm and dry.
So, if you’re wondering: how do I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? That’s exactly what we’re going to explore.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you identify the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay indoors. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Perhaps a nice hot bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential 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 guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather might impact the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!
