Lots of people really enjoy winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely 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 enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe it? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! 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, autumn if you have the proper gear.
But the key here is having the right gear. 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?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
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 may take a pounding. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re made to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
Most hearing aids are manufactured 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 places that will sometimes get colder than -13 but usually, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they may operate, they may not operate at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids functioning at close to maximum efficiency if you take a few steps.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to ensure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically true.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm spot: This will help prevent moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In most instances, you can dry it off and then put it someplace warm and dry.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: 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 ideally they’ll be working. Maybe you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Be certain 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, be sure your battery is fully charged.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be cautious 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 snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically 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.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally quit working. 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 aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you diagnose the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you don’t enjoy the cold. Maybe a delicious hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather may effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!