Contrary to popular opinion, winter is fun! Okay, it can certainly be a bummer if you need to get somewhere. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of enjoyable things to do.
Still not convinced? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be fun: you could go sledding or skiing. You could take a snowmobile ride. Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. With the right gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot cocoa is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But the secret here is having the appropriate gear. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather impact my hearing aids? Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be okay in any weather
Hearing aids are manufactured to be used every day. They’re designed to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The manufacturers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a robust construction. But just because hearing aids are meant to be worn all of the time doesn’t mean you should do anything drastic with them.
As a result, most hearing aids are designed to be somewhat “all-weather”. The safe temperature range for the majority of hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad range of temperatures.
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most settings. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s really cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they might function, they may not work at their best.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
You can keep your hearing aids working at near maximum efficiency if you take a few measures.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t generally freeze but they will drain faster in the cold. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits properly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Speak with us about the fit of your devices in order to give yourself the opportunity to minimize discomfort.
- When you’re not wearing your hearing aids, store them in a dry and warm place: Your hearing aid will work better and with fewer issues if you keep moisture out of it. You’re probably asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then put it someplace warm and dry.
- Letting your hearing aids get wet isn’t a good idea: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Even though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are usually water resistant. This means your hearing aid can probably get a bit wet, but it’s not a great idea to leave it that way longer than necessary.
- Make use of accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be especially important if you’re engaged in strenuous activity, including skiing, skating, or sledding.
- It’s helpful to wear a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still work if you have earmuffs over them. Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
So, if you’re wondering: how can I safeguard my hearing aids in the winter? Well, now you’ve got some answers.
If your hearing aid quits working, what should you do?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they aren’t working, we should be able to help you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay indoors when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you don’t enjoy the cold. Perhaps a delicious hot bowl of soup would hit the spot. Maybe snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s especially true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. Call us if you have any questions about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.