Hearing Aids & Cold Weather

Hearing Aids & Cold Weather

Matt DearingHearing Loss

Are you worried about having your hearing aids outside during a cold snap? Wintery weather isn’t great for electronics. For example, your phone might be a bit slower to respond or the battery may lose charge faster. Hearing aids are also sensitive to cold weather. However, with the right care your hearing aids will have no problem helping you hear all through the cold winter months.

Moisture and Your Hearing Aids

Any moisture or condensation can damage your hearing aids in a hurry. Whether you’ve been out in the rain, or accidentally stepped into the shower with your hearing aids, this moisture can ruin the microphone or receiver, or form rust on the battery contacts.

During the winter your hearing aids may be exposure to more moisture. Cold winter temperatures can also create condensation on your hearing aids. You see this on your glasses too. When you come back into the warm house, your glasses fog over. This is the same condensation that can form on your hearing aids during the winter months. 

Sweat can also damage your hearing aids. It seems odd to talk about sweating in the winter, but if you’re very bundled up and are moving quickly, you may sweat. This moisture can damage your hearing aids and the hearing aids batteries. 

How to Care for Your Hearing Aids in Winter

Through the summer and the winter, you will need to carefully clean your hearing aids every day. Start by drying them with a soft, dry cloth. Then use a hearing aid pick to remove any buildup of earwax or dirt on the devices. It’s especially important to make sure your hearing aids and batteries are completely dry. Open the battery door, and clean and dry the battery contacts. Leave the door open overnight.

Watch for the Signs of Moisture Damage

During the winter months, watch carefully for any signs of moisture damage. This could include:

  • Faulty audio
  • Sound cutting in and out, especially when there are loud noises
  • You hear lots of static
  • Sounds seem distorted 
  • The hearing aids stops altogether, but then starts again a few hours later

Quick Fixes

If you’ve noticed any of these issues, you can try some quick fixes at home. 

  • If you think the battery got wet, take it out immediately! Make sure the hearing aid is completely dry, then put in a new battery.
  • Thoroughly clean the battery contacts. These can get rusty or water damaged. Make sure the contacts and the battery are completely clean and dry.
  • The earmold or the tubing can get clogged with earwax. Make sure the tubing isn’t damaged, and clean away any earwax.

Hearing Aid Dryer

If these quick fixes didn’t work, there may be moisture inside the hearing aid. The best way to completely dry the hearing aid is with a hearing aid dryer. This is a great investment that can prolong the life of your devices. Just pop the hearing aids into the dryer overnight, and rest easy knowing your hearing aids are getting thoroughly dried.

Preventing Moisture Damage

Another way to protect your hearing aids from the cold is to prevent moisture from ever reaching your hearing aids. There are a few ways you can take precautions to prevent damage during cold weather. If you’re going outside just for a minute, for example to take out the trash, you may consider popping out your hearing aids. Place them in a safe and dry container, and leave them inside while you roll your bins to the curb. They’ll be warm and dry when you come back in.

Another way to protect your hearing aids is with sweatbands. If you’re enjoying an outdoor workout, or get caught outside in the rain or snow, the sweatband will keep your hearing aids dry. The sweatbands slip over your hearing aids to protect them from moisture.

We’re Here to Help!

Preventing damage is always better than doing repairs. To find out how you can protect your hearing aids from the cold, contact us today. And if your hearing aids aren’t in tip-top shape, either from the weather or any other reason, let us take a look. We service almost all hearing aid styles and brands, and we’ll make sure your hearing aids are in great condition.