There are many things that make the fall and winter seasons delightful: on walks, we watch the leaves turn from green to red, from gold to orange. Winter clothes to take out when it gets cold again: boots, hats, scarves, gloves. As long as you’re dressed warmly, the cold outside won’t spoil your good mood. However, if you do use hearing aids, the fall and winter weather can be a headache. So we’ve got some tips to help you make the most of the cold weather in the months ahead.
Winterizing with hearing aids.
Snowfall and wind chill. Even when winter is under our control, no one wants to stay behind the stove. There are plenty of good reasons to venture out during the cold season: skiing, skating, walking in the snow. But when the wind blows around your ears, there are a few tips you should follow to stay healthy. This is because our ears are an especially sensitive sensory organ. Freezing temperatures also pose a challenge or two for hearing aid wearers. With or without hearing aids: Winter is hard on our ears. They are exposed to the cold but have no protective fatty tissue. This makes them sensitive, as they cool quickly. A cold has a particularly receding effect on the auricle because it temporarily renders the skin there insensitive, so it is often too late to feel the pain of a cold – i.e. when the ears become warm again. Therefore, experts recommend that you keep your ears as warm as possible. By the way, this not only prevents cold damage – but the mucous membrane also keeps the blood flowing and can better defend itself against pathogens. As a result, infections such as middle ear infections occur less frequently.
What does it mean to be protected from the cold when wearing hearing aids?
First of all, you should know that cold temperatures can shorten the life of your hearing aid batteries. In addition, condensation may occur inside the hearing aid, alternating between hot and cold. As a result, tiny droplets of water can corrode the electronics, which can lead to malfunction. Waterproof hearing aids are less sensitive to condensation. The following is an overview of the most important tips for maintaining hearing aids during the winter months.
Wear a hat or earmuffs in cold weather.
Frequent exposure to cold weather without hearing protection can increase the risk of hearing loss. This is because your body can respond to these exposures by increasing bone growth in the ear canal to “block” the cold. This extra growth is called exoticism. It is common in skiers, snowboarders, and surfers who are exposed to cold temperatures and/or cold water. It is recommended that you wear a hat or earmuffs when the temperature falls below about 15 degrees Celsius. Although these temperatures may not seem very cold, this is the temperature at which your blood vessels begin to contract to produce heat. This makes the ears more susceptible to cold weather.
Use the noise reduction feature of your hearing aid.
Long-term noise exposure exceeding 85 dB (decibels) can cause permanent hearing loss. Snowblowers and snow removal trucks emit noise in excess of 100 dB. Since hearing aids amplify the sounds around you and you want to protect your hearing from further noise damage, it is best to adjust your hearing aids accordingly. Consult your hearing care professional to find out if the hearing aid has a memory setting. If so, have them programmed for noise cancellation.
Protect your hearing aids with earmuffs.
Earmuffs not only keep your ears warm when skating or fishing with your nephew. You can also purchase special earmuffs to protect your ears from harmful noises. Even if you already have hearing loss, it is important to avoid further exposure to noise whenever possible. Sound-absorbing earmuffs are not only suitable for winter use. In fact, they may be useful many times throughout the year. Whether you’re using a noisy lawnmower in the spring, enjoying fireworks on New Year’s Eve, or watching a soccer game in a loud arena – earmuffs ensure a safe noise level.
Preventing Moisture Damage.
Not only do hearing aid wearers not have to worry about moisture-sensitive hearing aid components in the summer. Some hearing aid owners train outdoors, even in winter, for winter sports. Heavy snow or freezing rain can damage your hearing aids. To minimize moisture exposure of your hearing aids during the winter months due to sweating or precipitation, use sweatbands.
Keep your hearing aids batteries dry.
Hearing aid batteries can be adversely affected by changes in temperature. Therefore, it is important to keep the battery compartment free of moisture. Check your hearing aid before turning it off at night. Before storing them, remove the batteries and wipe the battery compartment thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth.
Purchase a hearing aids dehumidifier.
Drastic fluctuations in temperature can cause your hearing aid to condense, which can interfere with its proper function. Therefore, if you haven’t already, consider purchasing a hearing aid dehumidifier. This affordable device can help extend the life of your hearing aid by safely and effectively wicking moisture away overnight while you sleep. Some dehumidifiers even disinfect hearing aids during overnight storage.
We’re Here to Help!
Snowfall and wind chill. Even when winter is under our control, no one wants to stay behind the stove. There are plenty of good reasons to venture out in the cold season: skiing, skating, walking in the snow. Try the advanced hearing aids developed by our team.
HearingAidsElite
Hearing Aids Elite’s mission is to provide people with low-cost hearing aids that can help those who struggle with hearing loss enjoy a better quality of life. We not only make some of the world’s highest quality hearing aids but through innovation and uncompromising manufacturing standards, we provide those hearing aids at an accessible, affordable price for all, regardless of economic status. FDA-Registered. No Office Visit Required: Both hearing aid brands empower hearing loss patients to treat their hearing loss conditions without visiting an audiologist or hearing clinic. Both manufacturers allow you to order hearing aids from home over the internet. Our affordable line of hearing aids has a Risk-Free – 45 Day Money Back Guarantee and is equipped with advanced features and technology comparable to hearing aids which cost thousands of dollars – for a fraction of the price. We have helped thousands of satisfied customers address their hearing loss and move forward on their journey to better hearing – while saving up to 92% compared to other brands. Each Hearing Aids Elite hearing aid we sell is backed by a rock-solid one-year manufacturer’s warranty. If they become defective or stop working, we will fix them or replace them at no cost.