You’ve got an active summer planned. You’re obviously going to go to the beach and maybe take a swim. You’ll do some regular jogging and then maybe attend a baseball game or two before heading home and grilling up some tasty dinner. You’re going to be busy! So it’s important that your hearing aids are prepared.
All of these experiences can introduce unique challenges for your hearing aids, but there are a few simple ways you can safeguard these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer at the same time.
Obstacles of hearing aids during the summer
Each season will introduce distinct difficulties with regards to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the biggest challenges in the summer.
Here are a few summer related challenges:
- Debris, sand and dirt: During the summer you’re really active. But sand inside of your hearing aid, like beach sand, can result in problems.
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s strong enough. Depending on the environment, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from humidity, swimming, rain, or just sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. Moisture can do a number on hearing aids so that can present a challenge.
Part of the reason why these issues are more common during the summer is clear: you tend to be outside more often. And you’re more likely to encounter a sudden rain storm or a powerful wind when you’re outside so often.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are made to improve your quality of life, to allow you to do more. So throughout the summer, the majority of people want to use their hearing aids as often as they can. Taking care of your hearing aids by taking a few extra steps can make that happen.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are several ways you can protect against moisture:
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears totally will help prevent the accidental transfer of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Don’t swim with your hearing aids in your ears. Beach day? Great! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before swimming. Naturally, most individuals already do this. So the real danger is the moisture in your ears that lingers after you go swimming. Using a swim cap or earplugs while swimming is a good plan. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
- Have a microfiber towel handy. That way, you can dry your hearing aids throughout the day. This stops wetness from accumulating when you aren’t watching.
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids at night and let them air dry. This will help prevent damage from corrosion of the battery.
- Wear a sweatband when you’re exercising. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and far from your hearing aids).
Regularly clean your hearing aids
Heat and moisture can both hasten the growth of bacteria. So you should also take a few steps to ensure your hearing aids are remaining clean over the summer months. Here are some guidelines:
- Routinely disinfect your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are available for this.
- Watch for the long-term accumulation of debris. As you’re sanitizing your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clear away any debris that might have accumulated. Sooner or later, it’s probably also a good plan to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
- Store your hearing aids in a place that’s dry and cool. That’s because hearing aids (generally) don’t do well with exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So keep them off your dashboard when it’s hot. Alternatively, make certain they’re tucked away somewhere dry and cool when you aren’t wearing them.
Stay active, remain happy, keep hearing
Your hearing aids are made to help you throughout 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 up a mountain, or taking a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to make sure your hearing aids remain dry and keep working.