How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe in the Summer Heat | Hearing Wellness Solutions (2024)

Summer can be a challenging season for those who wear hearing aids. High temperatures, humidity, and exposure to water and sweat can damage hearing aids and compromise their performance.

As a hearing aid user, it is essential to take proactive measures to protect your devices during the summer months. Here are some tips for keeping your hearing aids safe in the summer heat, including protection from moisture and extreme temperatures.

Protection from Moisture

Moisture can pose a significant risk to hearing aids, especially during the hot and humid summer months. Water can damage the internal components of hearing aids, causing malfunctions and costly repairs. Here are some ways to protect your hearing aids from moisture:

1. Invest in Waterproof Covers

Waterproof covers are designed to safeguard hearing aids from water damage, making them ideal for summer activities such as swimming, kayaking, or watersports. These covers typically feature a soft, flexible silicone or plastic material that fits snugly over the hearing aid to prevent water from entering the device. Waterproof covers can be purchased from many hearing aid suppliers and come in various sizes to fit different types and styles of hearing aids.

2. Use a Drying Kit

Drying kits or dehumidifiers are designed to remove moisture from hearing aids and prolong their lifespan. These kits typically use a drying agent such as silica gel or a desiccant to absorb moisture and keep the hearing aids dry. Drying kits are especially useful during the summer months when humidity levels are high. They can be purchased online or from hearing aid suppliers.

3. Remove Hearing Aids Before Showering or Swimming

As tempting as it may be to wear hearing aids while swimming or showering, it is important to remove them before exposing them to water. Even waterproof covers may not provide full protection from water damage, and the moisture can still seep into the device and cause damage. Plan ahead and take off your hearing aids before any water activities to keep them safe and functional.

Protection from Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures can also pose a significant risk to hearing aids during the summer. High temperatures can cause hearing aids to malfunction, melt, or warp, and extreme cold temperatures can drain the battery life. Here are some ways to protect your hearing aids from extreme temperatures:

1. Store Hearing Aids in a Cool and Dry Place

One of the best ways to protect hearing aids from high temperatures is to store them in a cool and dry place when they are not in use. Avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or in hot cars, as this can cause them to overheat and become damaged. Instead, opt for a dark, dry, and cool place, such as a bedside table or desk drawer.

2. Keep Spare Batteries Handy

High temperatures can affect the lifespan and performance of hearing aid batteries, causing them to drain faster than usual. Always carry a backup set of batteries, especially when spending extended periods outdoors. As a general rule, hearing aid batteries should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight, humidity, or extreme temperatures.

3. Choose Suitable Hearing Aid Styles

Some hearing aid styles may be more suitable for hot summer weather than others. For example, behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids tend to be more resistant to moisture and are better able to withstand extreme temperatures than in-the-ear (ITE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. Full-shell or half-shell hearing aids also tend to be larger and more durable, making them a good choice for the summer. Consult with your hearing healthcare professional to determine which hearing aid style is best suited to your lifestyle and activities.

General Maintenance Tips

Ongoing care and maintenance of your hearing aids will also help keep them safe and functional during the summer months. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help keep your devices in good working condition. Use a soft, dry cloth or specialized hearing aid cleaning tools to remove earwax, debris, and moisture from the hearing aids. Avoid using water or other liquids, as this can cause damage to the device.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Regular checkups with your hearing healthcare professional can help identify issues early and prevent costly repairs or replacements. These checkups may include a hearing evaluation, cleaning, programming adjustments, or any necessary repairs or maintenance. Visit us today for more support.

How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe in the Summer Heat | Hearing Wellness Solutions (2024)

FAQs

How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe in the Summer Heat | Hearing Wellness Solutions? ›

Be Wary of Sweat and Moisture

What can I use to keep my hearing aids in place? ›

Practical solutions for keeping the hearing aid in place

One option is to use toupee tape, sticky pads, such as Phonak Stick N Stay or other adhesives, but some of those may cause skin irritation and depending on the chemicals used may cause damage to your device.

Can heat affect hearing aids? ›

Heat can damage your hearing aids in a number of ways. In hot weather, any plastic used, such as the casing, can melt or warp out of shape and heat can damage the internal electronics and cause them to stop functioning effectively. Heat can even affect the batteries by reducing their lifespan.

How do you keep sweat out of hearing aids? ›

If you perspire a lot because of your job or where you live, you may want to get a specially designed hearing aid dryer (dry and store) or dehumidifier. This could be as simple as a small container with a desiccant pad or as advanced as an electronic case with drying and sanitizing functions.

How many hours a day should you wear hearing aids? ›

It is recommended to wear hearing aids all of the time; except when you are sleeping, showering, having your hair done, swimming or when in a dangerously loud environment.

How often should I put my hearing aids in the dryer? ›

Your hearing aids have a moisture resistant coating to protect them from these daily sources of moisture, but you'll need to dry them every day to keep your hearing aids in the best condition. We recommend that you clean your devices every night when you take out your hearing aids before bed.

How do you get moisture out of a hearing aid? ›

Put a cup of uncooked rice in a container and set your hearing aids inside. Close the lid and leave it for 24 hours. The rice will suck all the moisture out of the hearing aids, leaving them dry and ready to use. Test out your hearing aids by inserting new batteries and turning them on.

Is a dehumidifier necessary for hearing aids? ›

The biggest enemy of hearing aids is moisture. Water can easily find its way into even the smallest of crevices. We always encourage best practices when it comes to hearing aid maintenance, but one thing every hearing aid owner should have is a hearing aid dehumidifier.

How do you prevent wax buildup on hearing aids? ›

Being diligent about your hearing aid cleaning routine.

Wipe your device off with a soft, dry cloth every night before you go to bed to help remove earwax and other debris. You can also use a soft-bristled brush or tools like ventilation cleaners. Make sure to store your device somewhere secure and dry.

Where is the best place to store hearing aids? ›

Four good options are:
  • Nightstand. Your nightstand is a great, simple option to store your hearing aids each night. ...
  • Sock drawer. Sock drawers are effective because they keep your hearing aids away from direct sunlight, and your socks help keep the environment fairly dry. ...
  • Jewelry box. ...
  • Drying box or dehumidifier.
Feb 16, 2023

Can you leave hearing aids in a hot car? ›

Our first tip is to store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. Don't leave them in a hot car or a sun-exposed location in the middle of the day, as this can cause battery leakage and other component issues. Manufacturers design hearing aids for conventional temperatures, ranging from 35°F to around 105°F.

Does high humidity affect hearing aids? ›

If moisture is particularly high, this can break the hearing aids completely. Excess levels of moisture also build up in the tubing, which can affect the frequency response of the hearing aids. When it is hot and humid, you are likely to sweat more and sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly.

Can you wear hearing aids in the sun? ›

Be sure to keep your hearing aids away from water, damp and direct sunlight. Your hearing aids may have settings or programmes to help filter out excessive background noise. Check your supplier guide or ask an audiologist to find out how to adjust them (some hearing aids do it automatically)

Do hearing aids need to be cleaned daily? ›

Earwax, debris, and dust can build up on your hearing aid. To keep it from getting clogged up, your hearing aid should be cleaned every day. If your hearing aid is the type that has a wax trap or wax guard, replace it regularly.

How often should you dehumidify your hearing aids? ›

Winter can be a moist time of the year, and moisture is a major threat to hearing aids. This is why it is important to dehumidify them annually. You can do this on a daily basis as well by placing them out to air dry on a towel when you go to bed each night, remembering to leave your battery compartment open.

What is the proper way to clean hearing aids? ›

You should inspect and clean your hearing aids every day. Daily cleaning includes brushing away debris with a soft-bristled brush, using a wax pick or loop to remove stubborn earwax or debris, and wiping the hearing aid parts with a soft, microfiber cloth.

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