The hot, sultry, humid days of summer can cause a number of hearing aid problems, from decreased output to an increase in bacteria on the surface of your hearing aids. Your hearing aids are a significant investment, you obviously want to do all you can to prolong their lifespan. The good news is that there are several easy things you can do to minimize these warm weather issues.
How to take good care of your hearing aids during the dog days of summer
1. Keep your hearing aids out of the water. Summer fun for most of us includes water sports--boating, fishing, swimming and relaxing in a hot tub. However, water and hearing aids don't mix well. Avoid getting your hearing aids wet in the pool, walking in the rain or in the shower. If you do accidentally get your hearing aids wet, remove the batteries and dry them gently with a blow dryer set on the lowest setting and held at least six inches away from the battery door.
2. Avoid direct sunlight. The hot summer sun can also harm your hearing aids. Although they are made of durable, hard plastic, extreme high temperatures can dissolve the glue that holds the unit together as well as harm the plastic exterior. It can also decrease your unit's effectiveness. Avoid leaving your hearing aids in a hot vehicle.
3. Clean them more frequently. Heat also promotes bacteria growth, so it's important to clean your hearing units more frequently during the summer months than during the winter. It's a good idea to use an anti-bacterial product.
4. Be careful with sunscreens. Sunscreens can get inside your hearing aid and harden, hampering the unit's effectiveness. Avoid problems by keeping the sunscreen away from your ear canals and washing your unit immediately after you get home from the beach or the pool.
5. Give the batteries a rest. It's inevitable that some humidity will get inside your hearing aids during the summer, simply from condensation. Combat this by opening the battery door on your hearing aid batteries at night during the summer and allowing the moisture to escape. This will not only extend the life of your units but will help keep your batteries from corroding.
Summer's high temperatures and humidity don't have to wreak havoc with your hearing aids. Avoid problems by keeping your hearing aids away from water, avoiding direct sunlight and cleaning them more frequently during these warmer months.
Share20 July 2015
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