Tips for Wearing Hearing Aids in the Winter

If you wear hearing aids, you are probably accustomed to caring for them throughout the year. Hearing aids function best when they are kept completely dry and free of earwax. Regularly cleaning your device, periodically changing the wax filter, and replacing the batteries often will help keep your hearing aids functioning at their best quality. What many wearers don’t know is that you must take certain special precautions in the winter months to properly care for your hearing aids.

1. Protect From Moisture: Keeping your hearing aids dry is important year-round, but especially in the winter during rain, sleet, or snow. If you are going skiing, snowboarding, or participating in other outdoor winter activities, it’s usually a good idea to remove your hearing aids and store them in a cool, dry place. Condensation doesn’t just come from precipitation: even wetness from perspiration can cause problems with your device.

2. Keep Spare Batteries: Being prepared is the best way to avoid any problems with your hearing aids during the winter. Colder temperatures can drain your batteries faster than normal, so keeping a spare on hand is a great way to ensure you’re never without your hearing aids. Changes in temperature, either coming from a warm building into the cold air (or vice versa) can also cause issues. Being extra prepared is the best way to remedy any problems before they arise.

3. Cover Your Head: When you are outdoors in cold environments, it’s best to wear a hat, scarf, or earmuffs. This will help keep your device dry, clean, and out of the elements. If you’re participating in an outdoor activity where you need your hearing aids, wear a hat or sport band in breathable material that helps to absorb and wick away moisture, as well as keep out dust and dirt.

4. Let Hearing Aids Breathe: Once you are inside for a longer period of time, remove your hearing aids and clean them. Check the battery compartment for condensation. A cotton swab around the battery compartment can be a quick, effective way to absorb moisture and keep the batteries working properly.

5. Consider A Dehumidifier: Room dehumidifiers can be effective for reducing and maintaining humidity levels in the air, and your hearing aid can benefit from one, too! Using a hearing aid dehumidifier while you sleep can help remove moisture and extend the life of your hearing aids. At the very least, it’s a good idea to open the battery door at night to allow evaporation.

Keeping these tips in mind through the colder months will help ensure that you are never without a working hearing aid.

How do you know if you have a malfunctioning hearing aid? If the sound cuts out, is distorted or garbled, fades, generates static, or stops working altogether, you should have your device serviced immediately. Any of these problems may indicate moisture exposure, which needs to be addressed and rectified immediately.

For more information about hearing aids or their care and keeping in the winter, contact Marvel Clinic at 931-451-8401.