It is officially Fall, and already, some of us are starting to get weather that’s wetter and colder than it’s been for quite some time. Whether you’re relatively new to wearing hearing aids, or you’ve experienced hearing aid malfunctions due to things like moisture and water exposure before, you might be concerned about the effect the autumn weather could have on your devices. Here, we’re going to look at what you can do to protect your hearing aids from the cold and wet weather of fall.
Take Out Your Hearing Aids When It’s Windy and Rainy
Even with water-resistant features, sustained exposure to the wind and rain will cause irreversible damage to your hearing aids. Consider taking out your hearing aids and storing them safely if you have to go out in extreme wind or rain. It’s a good idea to stay aware of the weather, in general, to check the forecast so you can plan any necessary journeys around the weather. Even higher levels of humidity should be avoided where possible.
Wear Something That Covers Your Hearing Aids
If you do have to go outside and you want to keep your hearing aids on, then it’s important to make sure that they are not exposed to the elements. You can wear something with a hood, for instance, so long as it comes far enough and can be closed around the front to seal off your hearing aids. Similarly, you can wear a hat, but you should make sure that the hat provides enough coverage so that the rain can’t get in from the sides.
Be Mindful of the Temperature
The cold can be dangerous to hearing aids, as well. Aside from the fact that cold weather can cause your batteries to lose their charge more quickly, moving from the cold air to warm indoors can cause condensation, which can build moisture up inside the hearing aid. The best way to prevent this is to keep your ears warm, wearing a warm hat, headband, earmuffs or a hearing aid sleeve, when you’re out in the cold.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
If you’re caught in a sudden shower of rain on your way home from the store, it doesn’t have to mean disaster. You want to make sure that you get out of the rain as soon as possible. After that, take out your hearing aids and dry them by hand with a towel as soon as you can. Additionally, investing in a hearing aid dehumidifier will help you take better care of your devices in situations when they are exposed to excessive moisture.
Consider Water-Resistant Hearing Aids
For some people, going outside while still needing to wear hearing aids may not be avoidable. This could be true for people who do a lot of their work in the outdoors, for instance. In that case, you might need to talk to your audiologist about switching to hearing aids that better fit your needs. There are all manner of impressive new hearing aids using technology such as polymer layers to provide some water resistance. Talk to your audiologist about the different IP ratings of hearing aids, which measure water resistance, and what level you may need. However, it’s important to be aware that there’s currently no such thing as a totally waterproof hearing aid, so some care always has to be taken.
Know the Signs of Water Damage
Water-damaged hearing aids should be sent for repairs as soon as possible to prevent them from failing entirely. If you hear any static or crackling sounds, are experiencing any new distortions or odd changes to volume while wearing them, or if they turn off and on again at random times, it could be a symptom of damage that might professional attention. Luckily, your audiologist is there to help.
Keep the Number of Your Audiologist on Hand
If you do experience any malfunctions or issues with your hearing aids, then it’s important to remember that your audiologist can help. Audiologists can often take care of most minor repairs in their office, ensuring you won’t be without your device for long! If your device is beyond that level of help, we can also get in touch with the manufacturer, providing a temporary replacement until your fixed or new device is ready. If you want to learn more about how an audiologist can help you, get in touch with the team at Two Rivers Hearing by calling (321) 499-2488.
