You’re planning a really active summer. You’re definitely going to hit the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll take in some live entertainment, you’ll get plenty of exercise jogging or maybe playing some tennis, then it’s time to get to the grill. You’re going to be busy! So it’s crucial that your hearing aids are prepared.
Summer activities like these can be hard on your hearing aids, but these little useful devices can be protected without it halting your summer fun.
Challenges of hearing aids in the summer
With hearing aids, each season will come with unique obstacles. Climate and weather are the biggest obstacles in the summer.
Summer-related obstacles may include:
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is just about always present during the summer. Moisture can do a number on hearing aids so that can present a problem.
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s strong enough. Depending on the climate, powerful winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Debris, sand and dirt: In the summer you’re very active. But sand in your hearing aid, like beach sand, can lead to issues.
Part of the reason why these issues are more likely to crop up during the summer is clear: you tend to be outdoors more. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter a strong gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
How to keep your hearing aids in good working order all summer
Your hearing aids are designed to enhance your quality of life, to make it possible for you to do more. So throughout the summer, most individuals want to wear their hearing aids as often as possible. This means taking a few extra steps to care for the technology and ensure your hearing aids continue working.
Keeping 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 becomes). Protect against moisture with these tips:
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, use a sweatband. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery door. This will help keep the battery from corroding and will decrease damage.
- Thoroughly dry your ears. Drying your ears thoroughly will help avoid the accidental transfer of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Don’t go swimming while wearing your hearing aids. Going swimming? Nice! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before going into the water. Obviously, the majority of people already do this. So the real risk is the wetness in your ears that remains after you go swimming. Using a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a good idea. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will remain nice and dry.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. In that manner, you can dry out your hearing aids throughout the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t paying attention.
Regularly clean your hearing aids
Heat and moisture can both fuel the growth of bacteria. During the summer especially, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. You can do the following:
- Routinely disinfect your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a place that’s cool and dry. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t handle direct sunlight very well. So don’t put them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, when you’re not wearing them, store your hearing aids in a dry, cool spot.
- Watch for the long-term accumulation of debris. You can take a little time to get rid of any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sooner or later, it’s most likely also a good idea to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids are made to accompany you all through your life, and that’s certainly true of the summer months. So whether you’re planning on going for a swim in the lake, hiking over a mountain, or taking a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to make sure your hearing aids stay dry and keep working.
