Enjoying Summer Recreation With Hearing Aids

You’ve got an active summer planned. You’re certainly going to hit the beach and maybe go for a swim. You’ll do some regular running and then maybe attend a ball game or two before heading home to up some delicious dinner. Your schedule will be rather full. So it’s essential that your hearing aids are ready.

All of these experiences can introduce unique hazards for your hearing aids, but there are a few easy ways you can protect these tiny, helpful devices and enjoy your summer as well.

Challenges of hearing aids in the summer

Each season is going to present distinct difficulties with regards to your hearing aids. Climate and weather are the greatest obstacles in the summer.

Summer-related challenges might include:

• Wind: A strong enough wind can tug and yank at your hearing aids. Depending on the climate, powerful winds can also introduce dust and debris into your hearing aid.
• Moisture: During the summer, moisture is almost always present, whether from rain, sweat, swimming, or humidity. That’s an issue because moisture can be a huge issue for hearing aids.
• Debris, sand and dirt: You’re active in the summer. But sand in your hearing aid, such as beach sand, can cause issues.

Part of the reason why these problems are more likely to crop up during the summer is clear: you spend more time outdoors. And you’re more likely to experience a sudden rain storm or a powerful wind when you’re outdoors so often.

Keeping your hearing aids at optimum performance through the summer

Your hearing aids are designed to enhance your quality of life, to allow you to do more. The majority of individuals who wear hearing aids will want to use them as much as they can, particularly through the summer. Caring for your hearing aids by taking some extra steps can make that happen.

Keeping your hearing aids dry

Water will wreak havoc on electronics and the more advanced the electronics, the worse the potential damage. Keep moisture at bay with these tips:

• Don’t swim while wearing your hearing aids. Going swimming? Nice! Just remove your hearing aids first. Naturally, the majority of people already do this. So lingering moisture in your ears after you get out of the water is the real issue. That’s why you should consider wearing a swim cap and earplugs when you go swimming. By doing this your ears and thus your hearing aids will remain nice and dry.
• Thoroughly dry your ears. Make sure you aren’t accidentally transferring moisture from your ears to your hearing aids.
• Open the battery compartment on your hearing aids while you sleep and let them air dry. This will help prevent damage caused by corrosion of the battery.
• Keep a microfiber towel handy. You can use this to periodically dry your hearing aids. In this way, you can avoid the accumulation of wetness.
• When you’re performing an activity that will cause you to sweat, wear a sweatband. Your hearing aids will stay quite dry because sweat can’t get to them.

Routinely clean your hearing aids

Heat and moisture can both hasten the growth of bacteria. During the summer particularly, take measures to keep your hearing aids clean. You can do the following:

• Store your hearing aids in a cool and dry spot. Hearing aids, generally speaking, don’t do well in the direct sunlight. So keep them off your dashboard on hot days. Instead, make sure they’re tucked away someplace cool and dry when you’re not wearing them.
• Watch out for the long-term accumulation of debris. As you’re sanitizing your hearing aids, you can also take the time to clear away any debris that might have built-up. Sometimes, a professional cleaning is needed.
• Sanitize your hearing aids on a regular basis. You can do this with specially produced antibacterial and disinfectant wipes.

Stay active, stay happy, keep hearing

Your hearing aids will help you for a lifetime and they will improve your summer months especially. So whether you’re planning on going for a swim in the lake, hiking up a mountain, or going for a stroll around the neighborhood, there’s a way to be sure your hearing aids remain dry and keep working.