You’re planning a very active summer. You’re obviously going to go to the beach and maybe take a swim. You’ll enjoy some live entertainment, you’ll get plenty of exercise jogging or maybe playing some tennis, then it’s time to hit the grill. You’ll be busy! And you want to make sure your hearing aids are up to the task.
Summer activities such as these can be tough on your hearing aids, but these little beneficial devices can be protected without it halting your summer fun.
Summer hearing aid difficulties
Each season will present distinct challenges when it comes to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the biggest challenges during the summer.
Summer-related challenges may include:
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can tug and pull at your hearing aids. Depending on the climate, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Dirt and debris: You’re active during the summer. But when you go to the beach, there’s a good possibility you may get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that might cause problems.
- Moisture: In the summer, moisture is nearly always present, whether from rain, sweat, swimming, or humidity. Moisture can be harmful to hearing aids so that can present a challenge.
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 experience a powerful gust of wind or a sudden rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at optimum performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are manufactured to allow you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So over the course of the summer, most individuals want to use their hearing aids as frequently as possible. Caring for your hearing aids by taking a few extra steps can make that happen.
Take actions to keep your hearing aids dry
We’ve established that moisture is the adversary of a well-functioning hearing aid (the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse water becomes). Keep moisture at bay with these tips:
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids at night and allow them to air dry. This will help stop the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- Wear a headband when you’re working out. This will help keep moisture out of your ears (and far from your hearing aids).
- Have a microfiber towel handy. You can use this to periodically dry your hearing aids. This stops wetness from accumulating when you aren’t paying attention.
- Don’t wear your hearing aids in the water. Beach day? Great! Just take out your hearing aids first. Naturally, most people already do this. So the real hazard is the wetness in your ears that remains after you go into the water. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a good plan. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will remain nice and dry.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids clean
Heat and moisture can both fuel the growth of bacteria. During the summer especially, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some guidelines:
- Disinfect your hearing aids on a regular basis. Specialized antibacterial wipes are available for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a place that’s cool and dry. Hearing aids, generally speaking, don’t do well in the direct sunlight. So don’t put them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, make certain they’re nestled away somewhere dry and cool when you’re not wearing them.
- Watch out for the long-term build-up of debris. You can take a few minutes to clear away any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is needed.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids will be there for you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. So whether you’re planning on swimming in the lake, hiking up a mountain, or going for a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to be sure your hearing aids stay dry and keep working.