In contrast 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 correct gear (or proper infrastructure). But during those cold winter months, you can find lots of fun things to do.
Still not convinced? Well, here are just a few examples of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could go for a snowmobile ride. Or you could grab a pair of ice skates and spend a little time out on the ice. You can enjoy being outdoors in the winter just as much as the summer, spring, or, fall if you have the proper gear.
But that’s a major caveat: you need the right gear to remain comfortable. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Or will cold weather damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are designed to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are meant to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the grocery store, out on a hike, or simply around the house. The makers of these devices understand that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re manufactured to go along with you throughout your normal daily activities.
The majority of hearing aids are manufactured to be basically “all weather” as a result. Most hearing aids can work quite nicely between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. That covers the broad spectrum of temperature possibilities (even though there are some places, especially up north, that will sometimes get colder than -13 degrees).
Which is a good thing! It means you’ll be able to hear in most settings. 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
Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to function at peak efficiency (or close enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids someplace warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: This will help prevent moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. Maybe you aren’t sure how to remove moisture from your hearing aid. In most situations, you can dry it off and then put it somewhere dry and warm.
- We can help make sure your hearing aid fits properly: Sometimes, when they get really cold, hearing aids can be uncomfortable. Minimize any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be cautious not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re wondering whether you can wear your hearing aids in the rain or snow, the answer is yes. Though most hearing aren’t waterproof, they are normally water resistant. So while your hearing aid will probably be fine if it gets a bit wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- It’s helpful to wear a hat or earmuffs: Not only will this keep your ears cozy, it’ll keep your hearing aids toasty, too! And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be working. Perhaps you’re wondering whether your hearing aids will still function if you have earmuffs over them. Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still continue to work.
- Use accessories to keep your hearing aids secured to your ears: In order to make sure your hearing aids stay securely in place in your ears you can make use of one of many available clips or straps. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is specifically relevant.
- Check your batteries (and make sure they’re charged): Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to be certain you have a full charge before heading out into any inclement weather.
Perhaps you’re wondering how to safeguard your hearing aids when it gets cold. Well, now you have some answers.
What should you do if your hearing aids stop working?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will stop working even when the weather is warm and dry. There are a few straightforward troubleshooting steps you can take (be sure your device is dry and the batteries are charged, for instance). But if those steps don’t help, we should be able to help you diagnose the cause of the problem and the best way to fix it.
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 indoors. Maybe you don’t like the cold. Perhaps a nice hot bowl of soup would do the trick. Possibly snowmobiles aren’t your jam. The essential thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are stopping you from living your best winter life.
If you observe the tips above and take good care of your hearing aids, this is particularly true. Call us if you have any concerns about how your hearing aids might be effected by the cold.