You have an active summer planned. You’re definitely going to go to the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some day-to-day running and then maybe take in a ball game or two before going home and grilling up some tasty dinner. Your schedule is going to be quite full. And you want to be sure your hearing aids are up to the task.
All of these experiences can present unique challenges for your hearing aids, but there are some easy ways you can protect these little, helpful devices and enjoy your summer as well.
Obstacles of hearing aids during the summer
With hearing aids, every season will come with unique challenges. During the summer, most of those challenges are weather and climate related.
Summer-related obstacles could include:
- Debris, sand and dirt: During the summer you’re actually active. But when you go to the beach, there’s a good chance you might get some sand inside of your hearing aid, and that may cause issues.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can jerk and yank at your hearing aids. And if you’re in an especially dry climate, wind can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aids.
- Moisture: Whether it’s from swimming, humidity, rain, or just sweat, moisture is just about always present during the summer. That’s problematic because moisture can be a major problem for hearing aids.
Part of the reason why these issues are more likely to crop up during the summer is clear: you spend more time outside. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter a strong gust of wind or a sudden rainstorm.
Keeping your hearing aids at peak performance through the summer
Your hearing aids are manufactured to allow you to do more, to enhance your quality of life. So throughout the summer, the majority of individuals want to wear their hearing aids as frequently as they can. Caring for your hearing aids by taking a few additional steps can make that happen.
Keeping your hearing aids dry
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more state-of-the-art the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are a couple of ways you can protect against moisture:
- Have a microfiber towel handy. You can use this to routinely dry your hearing aids. This stops moisture from accumulating when you aren’t paying attention.
- Use a sweatband when you’re exercising. This will help keep moisture out of your ears (and away from your hearing aids).
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery door. This will help prevent damage caused by corrosion of the battery.
- Don’t wear your hearing aids into the water. Beach day? Great! Just take out your hearing aids first. Obviously, this is common sense. So the real danger is the moisture in your ears that lingers after you go swimming. Wearing a swim cap or earplugs when you’re swimming is a smart idea. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) nice and dry.
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears completely will help prevent the accidental transference of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
Take steps to keep your hearing aids clean
Moisture and heat can both hasten the growth of bacteria. During the summer particularly, take steps to keep your hearing aids clean. You can do the following:
- Sanitize your hearing aids on a regular basis. Specialized antibacterial wipes are available for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a cool and dry place. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t handle direct sunlight very well. So don’t store them on your dashboard on the hottest day of summer. Instead, when you’re not wearing them, store your hearing aids in a dry, cool place.
- Don’t let debris accumulate over time. You can take a few minutes to clear away any debris on your hearing aids while you disinfect them. Sooner or later, it’s most likely also a good idea to have your hearing aids professionally cleaned.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
Your hearing aids will help you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. You can keep your hearing aids dry and in good working order whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just taking an evening stroll around your neighborhood.