Lots of people really enjoy winter! Okay, it can certainly be a bummer if you need to go anywhere. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But there are plenty of fun things to do in those chillier winter months.
Don’t believe us? Well, here are just a few instances of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go skiing or sledding. You could have some fun on a snowmobile! You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the proper gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s a major caveat: you need the right gear to remain comfortable. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold air affect my hearing aids? Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are meant to be used full-time. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. Which means that hearing aid manufacturers understand that these devices may take a pounding. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re made to accompany you throughout your normal daily tasks.
The majority of hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can function quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes get colder than -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in the majority of environments and that’s a great thing. Now, you may be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the winter? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they might work, they might not work optimally.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Can 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 sure you have a full charge before heading out into any severe weather.
- Talk to us about the fit of your hearing aids: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Talk to us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the chance to decrease discomfort.
- Use accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to ensure your hearing aids remain securely in place in your ears you can utilize one of many available clips or straps. This can be particularly relevant if you’re involved in strenuous activity, like skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: Your hearing aid will function better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. Maybe you aren’t sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In most cases, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: When snow melts, it becomes water, so be careful about exposing your hearing aids to snow. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s raining or snowing”? Yes, you can. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are usually water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be fine if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- It’s helpful to wear earmuffs or a hat: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid cozy. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be functioning. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Most hearing aids will continue to work just fine with earmuffs on.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Of course, even in the best possible weather conditions, your hearing aid may occasionally quit working. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (make sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for example). But if those steps aren’t helpful, we should be able to help you diagnose the cause of the issue and the best way to fix it.
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying life!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay inside. Maybe you don’t like the cold. Possibly you’re going to cook yourself some yummy hot soup. Perhaps you’re not a big fan of snowmobiles. What’s essential here is not to let problems with your hearing aid impact your quality of life, even when it’s winter.
If you observe the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Give us a call if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids may be impacted by the cold.
