You have a lively summer planned. Some beach time and lots of swimming no doubt. You’ll do some day-to-day running and then maybe attend a baseball game or two before going home to up some delicious dinner. Your schedule will be rather full. And you want to make sure your hearing aids are up to the task.
Summer activities such as these can be difficult on your hearing aids, but these little beneficial devices can be safeguarded without it halting your summer fun.
Summer hearing aid obstacles
With hearing aids, each season will come with unique difficulties. Climate and weather are the leading obstacles in the summer.
Here are some summer related obstacles:
- Dirt and debris: In the summer you’re very active. But when you hit the beach, there’s a good chance you might get some sand in your hearing aid, and that may cause issues.
- Wind: Your hearing aids can be pushed and pulled around by the wind if it’s powerful enough. Depending on the climate, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
- Moisture: In the summer, moisture is nearly always a factor, whether from sweat, rain, swimming, or humidity. Moisture can be harmful to hearing aids so that can present a problem.
Generally, it’s fairly apparent why these problems are more prevalent in the summer months: you’re usually outside more often. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to experience a powerful gust of wind or a flash rainstorm.
How to keep your hearing aids in good working order all summer
Your hearing aids are made to improve your quality of life, to make it possible for 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
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse the possible damage. There are a few ways you can protect against moisture:
- Don’t wear your hearing aids in the water. Beach day? Great! Don’t forget to remove your hearing aids before swimming. Obviously, this is common sense. So the real risk is the wetness in your ears that lingers after you go into the water. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs while swimming is a good idea. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
- Have a microfiber towel nearby. In that manner, you can dry out your hearing aids all through the day. This stops wetness from accumulating when you aren’t watching.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery compartment. This will help keep the battery from corroding and will prevent damage.
- When you’re doing something that will cause you to sweat, use a sweatband. This will help keep moisture out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
Take steps to keep your hearing aids clean
Heat and moisture can both hasten the growth of bacteria. So you should also take a few steps to ensure your hearing aids are remaining clean during the summer months. Here are some tips:
- Routinely disinfect your hearing aids. This can be accomplished with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.
- Store your hearing aids in a dry, cool place. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t do well in the direct sunlight. So don’t store them on your dashboard on a hot summer day. Alternatively, when you’re not using them, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place.
- Don’t let debris build-up over time. You can take a few minutes to remove any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is necessary.
Be happy, remain active, hear well
Your hearing aids are made to help 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 just taking an evening stroll around your neighborhood.