You’ve got an active summer planned. You’re definitely going to hit the beach and maybe take a swim. You’ll do some day-to-day running and then maybe attend a baseball game or two before going home to up some tasty dinner. You’ll be busy! So it’s crucial that your hearing aids are prepared.
Each of these experiences can introduce unique hazards for your hearing aids, but there are some easy ways you can safeguard these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer as well.
Obstacles of hearing aids in the summer
With hearing aids, every season will come with distinctive challenges. In the summer, most of those tests are weather and climate related.
Summer-related challenges could include:
- Wind: A strong enough wind can jerk and pull at your hearing aids. Depending on the climate, powerful winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Dirt and debris: You’re active in the summer. But when you hit the beach, there’s a good chance you might get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that may cause issues.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is just about always present during the summer. That’s a problem because moisture can be a major issue for hearing aids.
Generally, it’s fairly obvious why these problems are more widespread during the summer months: you spend more time outdoors. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to experience a strong gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
How to keep your hearing aids in good working order all summer
Your hearing aids are made to allow you to do more, to improve the quality of life. The majority of people who wear hearing aids will want to use them as much as they can, especially during the summer. This means taking a few extra steps to take care of the technology and ensure your hearing aids keep working.
Take actions to keep your hearing aids dry
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more advanced the electronics, the worse the potential damage. Protect against moisture with these tips:
- Use a headband when you’re working out. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- 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 decrease damage.
- Thoroughly dry your ears. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Keep a microfiber towel handy. That way, you can dry your hearing aids all through the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t watching.
- Don’t wear your hearing aids in the water. Going for a swim? Sweet! Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before going into the water. Obviously, the majority of people already do this. So lingering moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. That’s why you should start thinking about wearing a swim cap and earplugs when you go swimming. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will stay nice and dry.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids clean
Heat and moisture can both hasten the growth of bacteria. In the summer particularly, take measures to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some guidelines:
- Watch out for the long-term build-up of debris. You can take a little time to get rid of any debris on your hearing aids while you sanitize them. Occasionally, a professional cleaning is necessary.
- Store your hearing aids in a spot that’s dry and cool. Hearing aids, generally speaking, don’t handle direct sunlight very well. So keep them off of your dashboard when it’s hot. Instead, when you’re not using them, keep your hearing aids in a cool, dry place.
- Routinely sanitize your hearing aids. You can do this with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
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 swimming in the lake, hiking up a mountain, or taking a stroll around the neighborhood, there’s a way to make sure your hearing aids remain dry and keep working.