In contrast to popular belief, winter is fun! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to go somewhere. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Don’t believe it? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could go for a snowmobile ride. You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or autumn (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outdoors in the cold).
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the correct gear to remain comfortable. Maybe you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be effected 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 used on a daily basis. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The manufacturers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to accompany you throughout your normal daily activities.
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. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (although there are some places, particularly up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put strain on your devices, so while they might operate, they might not work at their best.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to function at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a good idea: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be cautious about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re wondering whether you can use your hearing aids in the rain or snow, the answer is yes. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not necessarily waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will die faster in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, make sure your battery is completely charged.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids warm, too! And your hearing aids will function at their optimal level if they are warm. Maybe you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to be sure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available straps or clips. This can be particularly significant if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
- When you’re not using your hearing aids, keep them in a dry and warm place: This will help stop moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In most cases, you can wipe it down and let it air dry in a warm spot.
Maybe you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s precisely what we’re going to explore.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the optimal weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. There are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can take (for example, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you determine the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Perhaps you don’t enjoy the cold. Maybe a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
If you follow the guidelines above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Contact us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.