Summer is a season full of adventure, outdoor fun, and memorable times. Your hearing aids are imperative for remaining connected as you take part in activities like chilling by the pool, going to summer music events, exploring hiking paths, or hosting backyard cookouts. Warmer temperatures and outside settings can pose distinct difficulties for people who depend on hearing aids. Ensuring your devices function properly throughout the warmer months requires a solid grasp of proper maintenance and upkeep techniques especially adapted for the summer season.
Summer difficulties faced by people who use hearing aids
Every season presents its own challenges for hearing aid wearers, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices in jeopardy. Typical summer issues to look out for:
Moisture and humidity
Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can present a risk to hearing aids. Excessive moisture levels have the ability to infiltrate delicate electronic components, which may lead to operational issues or rusting. Even small amounts of moisture inside your devices can affect sound quality or damage them permanently.
Outdoor elements and wind
Strong breezes aren’t simply an aggravation, they can dislodge hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, sand, and debris into delicate parts. Outdoor activities like gardening, beach trips, or sports can subject your hearing aids to dust particles that hinder their performance.
Sweltering temperatures and UV rays
Exposing hearing aids to direct sunlight or high temperatures, like keeping them on a car dashboard, can lead to overheating, decreased battery life, or melting of plastic parts. Excessive heat speeds up wear and tear and shortens device longevity.
Tips to protect your hearing aids all summer long
By adopting a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids remain secure, moisture-free, and functioning efficiently throughout the summer, no matter what your activities.
1. Safeguard your hearing aids from water
- Pre-Water Precautions: It’s important to take out your hearing aids before engaging in any aquatic activities, including swimming or showering, to prevent damage from water exposure. Utilize swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
- Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Never utilize heat sources like hair dryers to dry them.
- To reduce moisture accumulation, leave the battery door open and place the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out completely.
2. Control perspiration during exercise
- Use Sweatbands or Headbands: These soak up excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outside chores.
- Keep Ears Clean and Dry: Routinely dry your ears thoroughly before reinserting hearing aids to avoid moisture transfer.
3. Ensure a hygienic environment
- Daily Maintenance: To avoid bacterial accumulation triggered by moisture and body heat, apply a day-to-day cleaning habit of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
- Eliminate Debris: Inspect your devices frequently for dust, dirt, or earwax accumulation and clean as necessary. Expert cleanings by your hearing specialist every few months can prevent long-term damage.
- Remember to keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.
4. Keep an eye on device performance and consult a professional for assistance
If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery drainage during summer months, don’t wait to get in touch with your hearing care professional. They can perform required upkeep or repairs to keep your hearing aids functioning efficiently.
Have a stress-free summer with well-maintained hearing aids.
Summer is a time for forging lasting experiences, not for stressing about your hearing devices. By being attentive and taking simple steps to protect your devices, you can ensure they can endure hot temperatures, moisture, and outdoor conditions. This will allow you to enjoy clear sound while experiencing discussions, bird songs, and water splashes.
If you’re not sure about the best way to safeguard your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the peace of mind that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.