Lots of people really love winter! Well, if you have to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are lots of fun things to do in those colder winter months.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are only a few instances of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go skiing or sledding. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! You could go 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 cocoa is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s an important caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be worn every day. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out for a hike, or simply around the house. The manufacturers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a robust construction. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
Consequently, most hearing aids are made to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots 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 settings. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will function in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Some winter hearing aid tips
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to function at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially significant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, including skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Try not to get your hearing aids 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. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. This means your hearing aid can probably get a little wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Talk to us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to minimize discomfort.
- It helps to wear earmuffs or a hat: Not only will this keep your ears cozy, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, as well! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be working. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- When you aren’t using your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm spot: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Perhaps you aren’t sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. Usually, you can wipe it down and let it air dry in a warm spot.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before heading out into any inclement weather.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids quit working?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop 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). If you still can’t figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you aren’t a winter person. Maybe a delicious hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe you’re not a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid diminish your quality of life, even during the winter.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather might impact the performance of your hearing aids, call us today!