The summer months provide a wealth of exciting experiences, exhilarating outdoor adventures, and wonderful experiences that create lifelong memories. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, attending summer concerts, hiking trails, or simply enjoying backyard barbecues, your hearing aids play a crucial role in keeping you connected. But, warm weather and outdoor environments bring unique obstacles for hearing aid users. To make sure your devices keep working flawlessly through the season, it’s important to understand how to take care of them properly during summer.

Common summer obstacles for hearing aid users

Each season presents its own obstacles for hearing aid users, and summer’s warm, often humid conditions can put your devices at risk. Here are some typical issues you might encounter during the summer months:

Humidity and moisture

Exposure to moisture from activities featuring water, rain, or excessive sweating can pose a threat to hearing aids. High humidity levels can seep into delicate electronic components, potentially creating malfunctions or corrosion. Even small amounts of moisture within your devices can impact sound quality or damage them permanently.

Wind and outside elements

Strong breezes aren’t simply an annoyance, they can dislodge hearing aids from your ears or introduce dust, dirt, and debris into sensitive parts. Engaging in outside pursuits including gardening, visiting the beach, or playing sports might subject your hearing aids to dirt and debris that can impact how well they function.

Sweltering temperatures and UV rays

Keeping hearing aids in direct sunlight or hot environments, including a car dashboard, can cause overheating, battery drainage, or warping of plastic components. Extreme heat speeds up wear and tear and reduces device lifespan.

Summer tips for safeguarding your hearing aids

By embracing a handful of helpful routines, you can ensure that your hearing aids stay secure, moisture-free, and functioning optimally throughout the summer, regardless of your activities.

1. Safeguard your hearing aids from water

• Remove Before Swimming or Showering: Always take out your hearing aids before swimming, showering, or any water exposure. Use swim caps or waterproof earplugs to keep your ear canals dry.
• Dry After Exposure: Use a soft microfiber cloth to carefully wipe your devices if they get wet. Avoid using heat-producing devices like hair dryers for drying purposes.
• To reduce moisture accumulation, leave the battery door open and store the hearing aids in a drying case or dehumidifying device for several hours or overnight, allowing them to air out completely.

2. Control perspiration during exercise

• Wear Sweatbands or Headbands: These absorb excess sweat and protect both your ears and hearing aids while exercising or doing outdoor chores.
• Avoid Moisture Buildup: To keep your hearing aids working properly, be certain to dry your ears thoroughly after showering or bathing before putting them back in.

3. Maintain cleanliness and hygiene

• Regular Maintenance: To prevent bacterial buildup triggered by moisture and body heat, incorporate a day-to-day cleaning routine of gently wiping your hearing aids with specialized disinfectant wipes made for electronic devices and hearing instruments.
• Regularly Check and Clean Your Devices: It’s important to periodically examine your devices for any build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, or earwax, and take the required measures to eliminate it. Routine cleanings carried out by your hearing professional every couple of months can help prevent long-term damage.
• Don’t forget to put your hearing aids in a cool, dry area when they are not being used. Make sure to keep them away from sunlight and high temperatures.

4. Monitor device function and seek professional help

If you detect any changes in sound quality, feedback, or battery drainage during summer months, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your hearing care professional. They can perform necessary upkeep or repairs to keep your hearing aids functioning smoothly.

Enjoy a stress-free summer with well-cared-for hearing aids

Summer is meant for creating memories, not for worrying about your hearing aids. With attentive care and a few easy precautions, your devices can take on the heat, moisture, and outdoor elements, letting you experience every conversation, bird song, and splash with crystal-clear sound.

If you’re not sure about the best way to protect your hearing aids or need professional upkeep, make an appointment today. Make the most of your summer with the peace of mind that your hearing aids can keep up with every exciting experience.