Winter has many positives, from donning cute coats and fluffy scarves to drinking hot chocolate and building well-dressed snowmen. If you’re among the 20% of people with hearing loss, your winter schedule should include one more bullet point: take care of your hearing aids.
Let’s look at a few ways you can keep your hearing aids functioning at their best this season.
Smart Winter Habits for Healthier Hearing Aids
A few small changes in how you handle and store your hearing aids can go a long way:
- Stick with daily cleaning. It’s easy to associate cleaning with warm, sweaty summer months, but winter debris builds up, too. Dry skin, loose wool from hats and moisture from sleet or snow can collect on your devices. Wipe them down at the end of each day with a soft, dry cloth and use a wax pick or brush to minimize buildup.
- Keep devices warm when not in use. Avoid leaving hearing aids in cold areas like a car, garage or near windows. Extended exposure to low temperatures can shorten battery life. If you bring spare batteries or a charger with you, keep them in your pocket, bag or an indoor space.
- Be mindful of moisture and condensation. Most modern hearing aids can handle some moisture, but snow and slush can still cause problems. If your devices get wet, gently dry them with a clean cloth. Using a drying case or dehumidifier overnight helps remove trapped moisture and prepares your devices for the next day.
- Secure them during outdoor activities. If you’re spending time outside in winter weather, a soft headband or hat worn over your ears can help keep hearing aids secure. This added layer helps protect them from cold air, moisture and accidental knocks from an errant snowball in Becker Park.
Professional Hearing Aid Care
Winter doesn’t have to mean struggling with device performance. With a few preventative habits, you can keep your hearing aids working comfortably and clearly even through the coldest months—and we can help with that.
Call Speech & Hearing Associates today to schedule a repair & service appointment with one of our hearing aid specialists. We’ll clean your devices and check their programming and battery to ensure they continue to work their best.