You’ve got a lively summer planned. You’re obviously going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some regular running and then maybe take in a ball game or two before going home and grilling up some tasty dinner. You’ll be busy! So it’s crucial that your hearing aids are prepared.
Each of these experiences can introduce unique risks for your hearing aids, but there are a few easy ways you can safeguard these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer at the same time.
Summer hearing aid obstacles
Every season will introduce unique challenges when it comes to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the leading challenges during the summer.
Summer-related challenges could include:
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s powerful enough. And if you’re in an especially dry climate, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
- Dirt and debris: In the summer you’re very active. But when you hit the beach, there’s a good possibility you could get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that could cause issues.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or simply sweat, moisture is nearly always present during the summer. That’s an issue because moisture can be a major issue for hearing aids.
Part of the reason why these problems are more common in the summer is clear: you’re usually outside more often. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter a strong gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at optimum performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are designed to improve your quality of life, to allow you to do more. The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids will want to use them as much as possible, particularly during the summer. Caring for your hearing aids by taking some extra steps can make that happen.
Take actions to keep your hearing aids dry
We’ve established that moisture is the enemy of a well-functioning hearing aid (the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse water becomes). There are several ways you can protect against moisture:
- Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids while you sleep and allow them to air dry. This will help keep the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- Thoroughly dry your ears. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Use a sweatband when you’re exercising. Your hearing aids will stay nice and dry because sweat can’t get to them.
- Don’t bring your hearing aids in the water. Beach day? Great! Just remove your hearing aids first. Of course, most individuals already do this. So residual wetness in your ears after you get out of the water is the real concern. That’s why you should start thinking about using a swim cap and earplugs when you go in the water. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
- Keep a microfiber towel nearby. You can use this to periodically dry your hearing aids. In this way, you can prevent the accumulation of moisture.
Regularly clean your hearing aids
Moisture and heat can both hasten the growth of bacteria. So you should also take a few steps to ensure your hearing aids are staying clean over the summer months. Here are some guidelines:
- Store your hearing aids in a spot that’s dry and cool. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t handle direct sunlight very well. So don’t store them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Alternatively, make certain they’re tucked away someplace dry and cool when you’re not using them.
- Don’t let debris accumulate over time. You can take a few minutes to get rid of any debris on your hearing aids while you sanitize them. Eventually, it’s probably also a good plan to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
- Disinfect your hearing aids regularly. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids are made to accompany you throughout your life, and that’s definitely true of the summer season. 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.