How to Protect Your Hearing Aids from Cold and Wet Fall Weather

As the chill of autumn signals the arrival of fall, it’s crucial to adapt your hearing aid care routine to the changing weather conditions. Cold temperatures, rain and even wind can pose unique challenges for hearing aid wearers. Delve deeper into each of the following strategies to protect your hearing aids during colder months.

Battery Care for Hearing Aids

Cold weather can be tough on hearing aid batteries, causing them to drain faster than usual. As such, it becomes essential to add protective measures for your hearing aids as the temperatures drop. Cold temperatures can significantly reduce the battery’s lifespan and capacity, so it is a matter of preserving your hearing aids functionality.

To ensure your spare batteries remain in prime condition during your day out, store them in a pocket or pouch to maintain a comfortable temperature. It’s essential to strike a balance and avoid exposing them to extreme heat, as this can damage the batteries. When storing batteries at home, maintain a stable room temperature environment and avoid placing them in freezing conditions, like leaving them in a car or storing them in an unheated room.

Drying Your Hearing Aids Against Condensation

Fall can be cold and wet, which can lead to condensation inside your hearing aids. The moisture can affect their functions and lessen their lifespan. Your audiologist can recommend a drying box which is designed to remove all moisture from your hearing aids. You can place the devices inside the box when you are not using them, such as at night and retrieve them the next morning. Most drying boxes also have recharging features for hearing aids with rechargeable batteries, so wearers can start using the devices as soon as they come out of the box. Regular drying can preserve and even extend the lifespan of hearing aids and ensure clear sound quality.

Windproof Your Hearing Aids

Wind carries small particles which can infiltrate hearing devices and cause damage. Keeping a barrier between your hearing aids and the wind is instrumental in preventing potential damage. On windy days, your audiologist can recommends wearing earmuffs or a snug-fitting hat that can shield your ears from direct exposure to the wind. This will also prevent your ears and hearing aids from getting too cold in the fall weather, which also protects battery life.

Rain Defense for Hearing Aids

Rain is common during the fall and can pose significant risk to your hearing aids in the event of exposure. Using an umbrella as a shield on rainy days can help protect your hearing devices from moisture damage. Similarly, if you are going out to play in the rain, you want to create a protective barrier that will keep your hearing aids from getting wet. This could be wearing headbands or protective sleeves that can ensure nothing will get in contact with your hearing devices.

Fall Accessories for Hearing Aids

It is worth adding some essential fall accessories to your hearing aid toolkit. Sweatbands are typically designed to absorb moisture during physical activities. So, if you are going out to participate in outdoor activities, such as running, wearing sweatbands will prevent sweat from reaching your hearing aids. You may also want to consider extended-wear tips that can keep your hearing aids in place when you are active.

Your audiologist can also recommend hearing aids with moisture-resistant covers, which can provide an extra layer of protection against rain and outdoors activities. It is worth checking remote controls and smartphone apps, which allow you to make adjustments without exposing your devices to cold temperatures or wet conditions.

Hearing Aids Cleaning Essentials in Fall

While maintaining clean hearing aids is essential all year round, it becomes more crucial during the fall and winter months. The cold, damp weather can lead to a buildup of moisture and debris, affecting both the performance and longevity of your hearing aids. To keep your hearing devices in pristine conditions, you want to prioritize:

• Daily cleaning, using a soft and dry cloth: Pay close attention to the microphone openings, sound outlets and battery compartments.
• Deeper cleaning, which needs to be performed periodically: Typically, your audiologist can recommend a hearing aid cleaning kit, or they can perform the service for you.
• Damage inspection: Such as visible cracks or loose parts, as these can get worse as a result of exposure to cold and damp weather.

Knowing how to keep your hearing aids safe during the fall can make a huge difference to your hearing experience. If you have any questions or need further assistance with fall care for hearing aids do not hesitate to contact Arkansas Professional Hearing Care at (501) 588-0177.