In contrast to popular opinion, winter is fun! Okay, it can definitely be a bummer if you need to go anywhere. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find plenty of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Skiing and sledding aren’t the only enjoyable things you can do in the winter. You could take a snowmobile ride. You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, autumn if you have the correct gear.
But that’s an important caveat: you need the right gear to stay 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 can cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are designed to be worn on a daily basis. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The makers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Consequently, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for the majority of 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.
You will be able to hear well in most settings and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids working at close to peak efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by utilizing accessories.: In order to make sure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. This can be especially important if you’re involved in strenuous activity, including skiing, skating, or sledding.
- 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 make certain you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- 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. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. So while your hearing aid will probably be okay if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Consult us about the fit of your hearing aids: Hearing aids can sometimes be uncomfortable when they’re cold. Speak with us about the fit of your devices to give yourself the chance to lessen discomfort.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help stop moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Maybe you’re not sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In most cases, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere dry and warm.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid toasty. 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 affecting my hearing? Most hearing aids will continue to work just fine with earmuffs on.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I protect my hearing aids in the winter? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the best weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally stop working. There are a few standard troubleshooting steps you can take (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still can’t determine why they aren’t working, we should be able to assist you with that.
Don’t let cold weather stop you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Perhaps a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s important here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Give us a call if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids might be impacted by the cold.