You’re planning a really active summer. You’re obviously going to hit the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll enjoy some live entertainment, you’ll get plenty of exercise jogging or perhaps playing some tennis, then it’s time to hit the grill. You’ll be busy! So it’s essential that your hearing aids are ready.
Summer activities like these can be tough on your hearing aids, but these little useful devices can be protected without it halting your summer fun.
Challenges of hearing aids in the summer
Each season is going to present distinct obstacles when it comes to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the biggest obstacles during the summer.
Here are a few summer related challenges:
- Dirt and debris: You’re active in the summer. But sand in your hearing aid, like beach sand, can lead to issues.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or just sweat, moisture is just about always present during the summer. Moisture can be harmful to hearing aids so that can present a problem.
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s powerful enough. Depending on the environment, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
For the most part, it’s fairly obvious why these problems are more common during the summer months: you spend more time outside. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to experience a strong gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are made to make it possible for you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So over the course of the summer, most people want to wear their hearing aids as frequently as they can. Caring for your hearing aids by taking a few extra steps can make that happen.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are several ways you can keep moisture at bay:
- Wear a sweatband when you’re exercising. Your hearing aids will stay nice and dry because moisture can’t get to them.
- Don’t go swimming while wearing your hearing aids. Going for a swim? Nice! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before swimming. Of course, most individuals already do this. So the real danger is the wetness in your ears that lingers after you go into the water. That’s why you should consider wearing a swim cap and earplugs when you go swimming. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will remain nice and dry.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. You can use this to routinely dry your hearing aids. This stops wetness from accumulating when you aren’t watching.
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids while you sleep and allow them to air dry. This will help stop the battery from corroding and will decrease damage.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids clean
Heat and moisture can both hasten the growth of bacteria. In the summer particularly, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some tips:
- Disinfect your hearing aids on a regular basis. You can do this with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
- Watch for the long-term build-up of debris. As you’re disinfecting your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clean out any debris that might have accumulated. Sooner or later, it’s probably also a good idea 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 like exposure to heat and direct sunlight. So don’t store them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, make sure they’re nestled away somewhere dry and cool when you’re not wearing them.
Stay active, remain happy, keep hearing
Your hearing aids are designed to accompany you throughout your life, and that’s definitely true of the summer months. 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.