Lots of individuals really enjoy winter! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you have to go anywhere. Or if you aren’t properly prepared. But there are plenty of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Still not convinced? Well, here are only a few instances of how cold weather can be fun: you could go skiing or sledding. You could take a snowmobile ride. You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air impact my hearing aids? Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are designed to be worn on a daily basis. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid makers are aware that these devices may take a beating. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to accompany you throughout your normal daily activities.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for the majority of hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (although 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. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids function as well in the cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Some winter hearing aid advice
You can keep your hearing aids working at close to maximum efficiency if you take a few steps.
- 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 going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not necessarily waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die quicker in the cold. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- Talk to us about how your hearing aids are fitting: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Speak with us about the fit of your devices to give yourself the chance to lessen discomfort.
- 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. Maybe you’re not sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of cases, you can dry it off and then leave it someplace dry and warm.
- 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 especially relevant.
- It helps to wear earmuffs or a hat: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, too! And your hearing aids will work at their optimal level if they are warm. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
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 (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you diagnose the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay indoors. Perhaps you aren’t a winter person. Maybe you’re going to make yourself some nice hot soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your greatest winter life.
If you follow the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. If you have any questions about how cold weather may impact the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!