Contrary to popular belief, winter is fun! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can certainly be difficult. Or if you don’t have the proper gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those chilly winter months, you can find lots of enjoyable things to do.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are only a few instances of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could have a good time on a snowmobile! You could go out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot chocolate is so much more satisfying when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But that’s a significant caveat: you need the right gear to stay comfortable. You may be thinking: Does my hearing aid count as “the right gear”… and if so, will cold weather impact my hearing aids? Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Up to a point, most hearing aids will be fine in any weather
Hearing aids are made to be used every day. They’re made to be worn pretty much everywhere you go. The makers of these devices understand that they need to have a resilient construction. We don’t suggest you do anything extreme with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re designed to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
The majority of hearing aids are designed to be basically “all weather” as a result. The safe temperature range for most hearing aids is from -13 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad range of temperature possibilities (even though there are some places, especially up north, that will occasionally get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be capable of hearing in most environments. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Hearing aids will work in the cold, just perhaps not as well.
Some winter hearing aid advice
Luckily, there are certain things you can do to help make sure your hearing aids continue to work at maximum efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Hearing aid batteries don’t necessarily freeze but they will drain quicker in the cold. So before you go out in the cold, be sure your battery is fully charged.
- Speak with us about the fit of your hearing aids: At times, when they get really cold, hearing aids can become uncomfortable. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try wearing a hat or earmuffs: Wearing a hat or earmuffs will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be working. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs over my hearing aid without impacting my hearing? Most hearing aids will still work just fine with earmuffs on.
- Try not to get your hearing aids wet: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I wear hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Although most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are typically water resistant. So while your hearing aid will most likely be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as you can.
- Use accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: There are all kinds of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. This can be particularly significant if you’re involved in strenuous activity, including skiing, skating, or sledding.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: This will help stop moisture from causing problems with your hearing aids. Perhaps you aren’t sure how to eliminate moisture from your hearing aid. In the majority of cases, you can dry it off and then put it someplace dry and warm.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you’ve got some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Sometimes, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few practical troubleshooting steps you can take (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are good and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even when it’s cold!
When it’s -10 degrees outside, it’s reasonable that you would want to stay inside. Perhaps you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to cook yourself some nice hot soup. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your greatest winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and observe the tips outlined above. Contact us if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids may be effected by the cold.