You have an active summer planned. You’re definitely going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some regular jogging and then maybe attend a baseball game or two before heading home to up some tasty dinner. Your schedule is going to be quite full. And you want to make sure your hearing aids are up to the challenge.
Each of these activities 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 too.
Summertime hearing aid difficulties
Every season is going to present distinct obstacles with regards to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the biggest obstacles during the summer.
Here are a few summer related challenges:
- Moisture: During the summer, moisture is nearly always a factor, whether from rain, sweat, swimming, or humidity. That’s a problem because moisture can be a major problem for hearing aids.
- Debris, sand and dirt: During the summer you’re really active. But sand inside of your hearing aid, like beach sand, can result in issues.
- Wind: A strong enough wind can jerk and pull at your hearing aids. And if you’re in an especially dry environment, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
Generally, it’s pretty apparent why these problems are more common in 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 sudden rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at optimum performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are made to enhance your quality of life, to allow you to do more. So throughout the summer, the majority of people want to wear their hearing aids as often as they can. Caring for your hearing aids by taking some extra steps can make that happen.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids dry
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are several ways you can keep moisture at bay:
- When you’re performing an activity that will cause you to sweat, wear a sweatband. This will help keep moisture out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Air dry your hearing aids while you sleep by opening the battery compartment. This will help keep the battery from corroding and will decrease damage.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. You can use this to periodically dry your hearing aids. This stops wetness from accumulating when you aren’t watching.
- Thoroughly dry your ears. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Don’t wear your hearing aids into the water. Going for a swim? Sweet! Just remove your hearing aids first. Naturally, this is common sense. So residual moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. That’s why you should consider wearing a swim cap and earplugs when you go in the water. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
Routinely clean your hearing aids
Moisture and heat can both fuel the growth of bacteria. In the summer especially, take measures to keep your hearing aids clean. You can do the following:
- Store your hearing aids in a place that’s dry and cool. That’s because hearing aids (generally) don’t like exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So keep them off of your dashboard on hot days. Alternatively, when you’re not wearing them, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry spot.
- Watch out for the long-term build-up of debris. As you’re sanitizing your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clear away any debris that might have built-up. Sooner or later, it’s probably also a good idea to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
- Routinely disinfect your hearing aids. This can be done with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids will be there for you for a lifetime and they will enhance your summer months especially. There’s a way to keep your hearing aids dry and in good working order whether you’re hiking, swimming, or simply taking an evening stroll around your neighborhood.