You have an active summer planned. You’re certainly going to go to the beach and maybe take a swim. You’ll do some regular running and then maybe take in a ball game or two before heading home to up some tasty dinner. You’re going to be busy! And you want to make sure your hearing aids are up to the challenge.
Summer activities like these can be difficult on your hearing aids, but these little beneficial devices can be safeguarded without it slowing your summer fun.
Summer hearing aid challenges
Each season will introduce unique challenges when it comes to your hearing aids. During the summer, most of those challenges are weather and climate related.
Here are a few summer related challenges:
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or just sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. Moisture can do a number on hearing aids so that can present a problem.
- Dirt and debris: You’re active during the summer. But sand inside of your hearing aid, such as beach sand, can cause problems.
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s strong enough. And if you’re in an especially dry environment, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
Part of the reason why these problems are more common in the summer is clear: you’re usually outside more often. And you’re more likely to encounter a surprise rain storm or a strong wind when you’re outside so often.
How to keep your hearing aids in good working order all summer
Your hearing aids are made to allow you to do more, to enhance the quality of life. The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids will want to use them as much as possible, particularly during the summer. Taking care of your hearing aids by taking a few extra steps can make that happen.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids dry
We’ve established that moisture is the adversary of a well-functioning hearing aid (the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse water becomes). There are a couple of ways you can keep moisture at bay:
- Thoroughly dry your ears. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, use a sweatband. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Keep a microfiber towel nearby. You can use this to routinely dry your hearing aids. In this way, you can prevent the build-up of moisture.
- Don’t bring your hearing aids into the water. Going for a swim? Nice! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before going into the water. Obviously, the majority of people already do this. So lingering wetness in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs while swimming is a smart plan. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will stay quite dry.
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids while you sleep and allow them to air dry. This will help prevent damage from corrosion of the battery.
Regularly clean your hearing aids
The growth of bacteria is quickened by heat and moisture. In the summer particularly, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some guidelines:
- Store your hearing aids in a place that’s dry and cool. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t do well in the direct sunlight. So keep them off your dashboard on hot days. Instead, when you’re not wearing them, store your hearing aids in a dry, cool spot.
- Don’t let debris build-up over time. You can take a little time to clear away any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is needed.
- Routinely sanitize your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
Stay active, stay happy, keep hearing
Your hearing aids will be there for you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. So whether you’re planning on going for a swim 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.
