The winter months can be tough on your hearing aids. Learn how to get them safely through the winter.
Brrrr.. it’s cold outside! When the temperatures are low, you are not the only one feeling cold. Your hearing aids can also be affected by the chilly weather. Your hearing aids require extra maintenance during the winter months, so you avoid having to get them repaired.
We have gathered our best tips for keeping your hearing aids safe during the winter.
Signs that your hearing aids got wet
The real enemy to your hearing aids during winter is moisture and condensation. That’s why it’s a good idea to check them on a daily basis during the cold months.
Some signs of moisture inside your hearing aids are sound distortion, faded sound, static noise, your hearing aids working on and off, and the batteries wearing out quicker than usual. These signs might disappear as they may only occur when the hearing aids are wet.
But how do you avoid this from happening. Read our four best tips here:
1. Keep the batteries in your hearing aid warm and dry
Cold weather can be tough on the hearing aid’s batteries as they struggle to work properly in the low temperatures. The cold weather can weaken their quality and shorten their life expectancy. The best thing you can do is to store the batteries at room temperature. If you bring extra batteries with you on the go, try to keep them as warm as possible.
2. Dry your hearing aids during nighttime
Just like glasses tend to bedew, temperature changes from warm to cold or the opposite can create condensation and moisture inside your hearing aids. Therefore, it is necessary to open the battery drawers on the hearing aids at night to air out the batteries or to use a drying box.
Make sure to dry all units of the hearing aid thoroughly, so the moisture can evaporate. If you have rechargeable hearing aids, you can use a drying box or an Oticon SmartCharger which has a drying function. You should never use your hairdryer to dry your hearing aids as this can damage them beyond repair. Instead, you can ask your hearing care specialist for advice on purchasing a drying box.
3. Use an Oticon SafeLine ™
If you enjoy going skiing or a good snowball fight Oticon’s SafeLine might be a good idea. A SafeLine is a hearing clip that helps keep your hearing aid in place no matter how fast packed your winter activities might be. This way you avoid losing your hearing aids in the snow where they might get damaged.
4. Keep your ears and hearing aids warm
Earmuffs or a hat are a good idea. Not only do they keep your ears warm, they also protect your hearing aids from rain and snow as well as moisture buildup which can lead to condensation inside the hearing aids.
An umbrella could also help keep your hearing aids dry if you are outside in the snow or rain. The most important thing to remember is: Dry and warm hearing aids are happy hearing aids!
If you are experiencing issues with your hearing aids please contact your hearing care specialist.
Find your nearest hearing care center