Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Sledding and skiing aren’t the only fun things you can do in the winter. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! Or you could get a pair of ice skates and spend some time out on the ice. You can enjoy being outside in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the correct gear.
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the right gear to remain comfortable. You might be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather impact my hearing aids? Can the cold damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are designed to be used full-time. They’re meant to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The manufacturers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t recommend you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just remember that they’re designed to accompany you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Most hearing aids are built to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for most 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 spectrum of temperatures.
You will be able to hear well in the majority of settings and that’s a wonderful thing. Now, you might be thinking: if that’s true, why don’t my hearing aids work as well in the cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just maybe not as well.
Tips for hearing aids in the winter
Luckily, there are certain things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to function at maximum efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t using them: This will help stop moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. You’re most likely asking: “How do I remove moisture from my hearing aids”? In the majority of instances, you can dry it off and then leave it someplace warm and dry.
- Talk to us about the fit of your hearing aids: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Reduce any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Make sure you have freshly charged batteries: Do hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can kill your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to make sure you have a full charge before going out into any severe weather.
- Getting your hearing aid wet isn’t a smart idea: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the snow and rain, the answer is yes. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not necessarily waterproof. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Keep your hearing aids secured in your ear by using accessories.: There are all manner of straps and clips you can use to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically true.
- Try to dawn a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears warm, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more ideally they’ll be functioning. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? 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 protect my hearing aids in the winter? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic measures to troubleshoot your device (for instance, ensure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still can’t figure out why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s understandable that you would want to stay inside. Perhaps you don’t like the cold. Maybe a delicious warm bowl of soup would do the trick. Maybe you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather may effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!
