How Can You Care for Your Hearing Aids in the Summer?

Summertime is a season to look forward to, with barbeques, beach days and outdoor activities to enjoy. But if you’re a hearing aid user, it can be a tricky time of year – high humidity, sweat and water exposure can all put your devices under strain. Of course, it’s important to take care of your hearing aids all year round, but extra vigilance is needed during the summer months. Fortunately, with a few helpful tips, you can keep them in top condition throughout the season to continue to access the sound of life.

Keep Your Hearing Aids Protected from the Summertime Elements

First, it is important to protect your hearing aids from direct exposure to the sun’s rays. Direct sunlight can damage your devices’ internal components and even cause surface discoloration. So, if you’re heading out to catch some rays on a hot summer day, make sure to keep them in a safe place like an inner pocket or a protective case when not in use.

Another potential hazard for hearing aids during the summer is humidity. Although your devices are designed to handle a fair amount of moisture, prolonged exposure to high moisture levels can lead to malfunctions and possibly corrosion. To protect against this, consider storing your hearing aids in a dry place when not in use – such as a sealable storage bag – and remove them whenever you’re in a high-humidity environment, such as a sauna or steam room.

Protect Your Hearing Aids from Water Damage

It’s also important to protect your hearing aids against water damage. This can be done in several ways – such as avoiding contact with direct water sprays and keeping them away from pools and other bodies of water. If you get caught in the rain, simply dry them off with a towel or cloth before putting them back on. The use of hearing aids shouldn’t prevent you from seeking adventure; your focus should rather be on protecting your hearing aids while you enjoy your activities.

It can also be beneficial to invest in anti-moisture device protection applications which covers the microphone openings of your devices to keep moisture away from them. Be sure to speak to your audiologist to discuss best practices for protecting your device from water damage.

Clean and Care for Your Hearing Aids

In addition to protecting your hearing aids from the elements, it’s also important to clean them routinely. Dirt and wax can build up over time and lead to malfunctions, so it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean your devices every couple of weeks – or more often if you spend most of your summer outdoors. This can be especially necessary when you do things like go to the beach, as sand and salt water can easily get lodged in the crevices of your hearing aids.

Your audiologist can provide you with the necessary tools for cleaning your hearing aids safely and effectively. They may also be able to recommend products that are specifically designed for use on hearing aid components such as cables, receivers, earmolds and tubing.

By following these guidelines and taking some extra precautions during the summer months, you can ensure that your hearing aids will stay in great condition so that you can continue to access the sounds of life all year round. If you have any concerns or questions about caring for your hearing aids in the summertime, contact your audiologist.