You’ve got a lively summer planned. You’re obviously going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll enjoy some live entertainment, you’ll get lots of exercise jogging or perhaps playing some tennis, then it’s time to get to the grill. You’ll be busy! And you want to ensure your hearing aids are up to the task.
All of these experiences can introduce unique hazards for your hearing aids, but there are a few easy ways you can protect these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer too.
Obstacles of hearing aids in the summer
Every season will introduce unique obstacles when it comes to your hearing aids. In the summer, most of those tests are weather and climate related.
Here are a few summer related challenges:
- Dirt and debris: You’re active during the summer. But sand in your hearing aid, like beach sand, can lead to issues.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from humidity, swimming, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. That’s a problem because moisture can be a major problem for hearing aids.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can tug and pull at your hearing aids. And if you’re in a particularly dry environment, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
Generally, it’s pretty apparent why these issues are more prevalent during the summer months: you’re usually outside more often. And you’re more likely to experience a surprise rain storm or a strong wind when you’re outside so often.
How to keep your hearing aids working great all summer
Your hearing aids are manufactured to make it possible for you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So over the course of the summer, most individuals want to wear their hearing aids as often as possible. This means doing a few extra things to take care of the technology and make sure your hearing aids continue working.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are a few ways you can keep moisture at bay:
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids at night and let them air dry. This will help stop the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- Keep a microfiber towel nearby. You can use this to routinely dry your hearing aids. In this way, you can avoid the accumulation of wetness.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- When you’re performing an activity that will cause you to sweat, use a sweatband. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Don’t wear your hearing aids into the water. Going swimming? Great! Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before going into the water. Obviously, this is common sense. So the real risk is the wetness in your ears that lingers after you go swimming. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs while swimming is a good idea. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) nice and dry.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids clean
Moisture and heat can both fuel the growth of bacteria. So you should also take a few steps to ensure your hearing aids are staying clean during the summer months. Here are some guidelines:
- Watch out for the long-term accumulation of debris. You can take a little time to remove any debris on your hearing aids while you sanitize them. Eventually, it’s probably also a good plan to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
- Sanitize your hearing aids on a regular basis. This can be done with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
- Store your hearing aids in a dry, cool place. Hearing aids, generally speaking, don’t handle direct sunlight very well. So keep them off your dashboard on hot days. Alternatively, when you’re not wearing them, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place.
Stay active, stay happy, keep hearing
Your hearing aids will help you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. You can keep your hearing aids dry and in good working order whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just taking an evening stroll around your neighborhood.