You’re planning a very active summer. You’re obviously going to hit the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some day-to-day running and then maybe take in a baseball game or two before going home and grilling up some delicious dinner. Your schedule will be rather full. So it’s important that your hearing aids are ready.
Summer activities such as these can be difficult on your hearing aids, but these little helpful devices can be safeguarded without it slowing your summer fun.
Obstacles of hearing aids during the summer
With hearing aids, each season will have distinctive obstacles. Climate and weather are the greatest challenges in the summer.
Summer-related obstacles might include:
- Moisture: During 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 challenge.
- Dirt and debris: During the summer you’re really active. But when you go to the beach, there’s a good possibility you could get some sand in your hearing aid, and that may cause problems.
- Wind: A powerful enough wind can tug and pull at your hearing aids. Depending on the climate, strong winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
Part of the reason why these issues are more common in the summer is clear: you’re usually outside more often. And when you spend more time outside, you’re more likely to encounter 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 designed to enhance your quality of life, to allow you to do more. So throughout the summer, most people want to use their hearing aids as frequently as possible. Taking care of your hearing aids by taking some additional steps can make that happen.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids dry
Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more sophisticated the electronics, the worse the potential damage. There are a few ways you can protect against moisture:
- Wear a sweatband when you’re exercising. This will help keep sweat out of your ears (and far from your hearing aids).
- Dry your ears thoroughly. Drying your ears totally will help prevent the accidental transference of moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
- Don’t bring your hearing aids in the water. Beach day? Sweet! Don’t forget to take out your hearing aids before swimming. Of course, most individuals already do this. So residual moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. That’s why you should start thinking about using a swim cap and earplugs when you go swimming. This can help keep your ears (and thus your hearing aids) quite dry.
- Air dry your hearing aids at night by opening the battery compartment. This will help counter damage caused by corrosion of the battery.
- Have a microfiber towel handy. In that manner, you can dry out your hearing aids throughout the day. This stops moisture from building up when you aren’t paying attention.
Take measures to keep your hearing aids clean
Moisture and heat can both fuel the growth of bacteria. During the summer particularly, take measures to keep your hearing aids clean. Here are some guidelines:
- 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. Occasionally, a professional cleaning is needed.
- Sanitize your hearing aids regularly. Specialized antibacterial wipes are made for this.
- Store your hearing aids in a spot that’s dry and cool. Hearing aids, as a rule, don’t do well in the direct sunlight. So keep them off of your dashboard when it’s hot. Instead, when you’re not using them, keep your hearing aids in a dry, cool spot.
Be happy, stay active, hear well
Your hearing aids will be there for you for a lifetime and they will enhance your summer months especially. So whether you’re planning on swimming in the lake, hiking up a mountain, or taking a walk around the neighborhood, there’s a way to be sure your hearing aids stay dry and keep working.
