You have an active summer planned. You’re obviously going to hit 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 to up some delicious dinner. Your schedule will be rather full. So it’s important that your hearing aids are ready.
Each of these experiences can present unique challenges for your hearing aids, but there are a few simple ways you can protect these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer as well.
Challenges of hearing aids during the summer
With hearing aids, each season will come with distinctive difficulties. During the summer, most of those challenges are weather and climate related.
Here are some summer related challenges:
- Moisture: Whether it’s from humidity, swimming, rain, or just sweat, moisture is nearly always present in the summer. Moisture can do a number on hearing aids so that can present a problem.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can tug and pull at your hearing aids. And if you’re in a particularly dry environment, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
- Dirt and debris: During the summer you’re actually active. But sand inside of your hearing aid, such as beach sand, can result in problems.
Part of the reason why these problems are more common during the summer is self-evident: you tend to be outside more. And you’re more likely to experience a surprise rain storm or a strong wind when you’re outdoors so often.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are manufactured to allow you to do more, to improve the quality of life. So throughout the summer, most individuals want to wear their hearing aids as often as possible. This means doing a few extra things to take care of the technology and make sure your hearing aids continue working.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will damage electronics and the more advanced the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are a couple of ways you can protect against moisture:
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears completely will help avoid the accidental transference of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Don’t go swimming with your hearing aids in your ears. Going swimming? Great! Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before going into the water. Obviously, this is common sense. So lingering wetness in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. Using a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a smart plan. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery door. This will help stop the battery from corroding and will decrease damage.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. That way, you can dry out your hearing aids throughout the day. This stops moisture from accumulating when you aren’t watching.
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, use a sweatband. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and far from your hearing aids).
Routinely clean your hearing aids
The growth of bacteria is quickened by moisture and heat. So you should also do a few things to ensure your hearing aids are staying clean over the summer months. You can do the following:
- 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 put them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, make sure they’re nestled away somewhere cool and dry when you’re not wearing them.
- Routinely sanitize your hearing aids. Specialized antibacterial wipes are available for this.
- Watch for the long-term build-up of debris. As you’re disinfecting your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clear away any debris that might have accumulated. Sooner or later, it’s probably also a good plan to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
Stay active, remain happy, keep hearing
Your hearing aids will be there for you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. 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.
