How Snow Affects Your Hearing Aids

It is the most wonderful time of the year. Cold, snowy days equal beautiful scenery and lots of fun. If you have hearing aids, you will want to take proper precautions to prevent damage to your hearing aids. When you have hearing loss, your hearing aids are your main way to hear well, and taking care of them is important.

What Kind Of Damage Can Cold Weather And Snow Cause?

Cold temperatures can cause damage to your hearing aids and the batteries. The cold itself does not damage them. The condensation that builds in the hearing aid from the temperature change will. Even if it is not snowing in your area, temperature changes will cause condensation to happen.

Signs Of Moisture Damage

If your hearing aids become damaged by moisture, they will give you several signs. Signs include:

• Cutting out. During loud noises, your aids may cut out.
• Fading. The sound on your hearing aid may fade in and out. For example, you may be out in the snow playing with your children, and not be able to hear them well.
• Static. You may hear static coming from your aids.
• Distortion. Sounds may become distorted.
• Sound goes out. Hearing aids may completely stop working. In some cases, the hearing aid may work again after a short bit, only to go out again.

Precautions For The Winter Months

No one wants to stay inside when the snow is falling. You may like to get out and explore your area when it snows, or you may have grandkids that love the snow. Having hearing loss and wearing aids will not prevent you from going out to enjoy it. You will have to take certain precautions to ensure that you protect your aids. These precautions include:

• Earmuffs. Earmuffs are not only for keeping your ears warm. There are special earmuffs that protect your ears from loud noises. There are others that can keep your hearing aids dry.
• Limit your time outdoors. While enjoying the snow is fun, the longer you stay out, the more likely you can damage your aids. Limit yourself to short bursts of time.
• Go without your hearing aids. If you can, consider taking your aids out while going in the snow. This is not practical if you are going out with your kids, or doing something like riding around. If you are stepping out to enjoy the scenery, it should not affect your hearing loss. Leaving your hearing aids out will be fine.
• Hearing aid sweatbands. If you do outdoor sports, or you will be outside during heavy snow, consider sweatbands for your aids. This will help to protect them from moisture.
• Drying your hearing aids. As soon as you come in from the outdoors, dry your aids. They do make hearing aid dryers. These are a great investment if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Call Us Today

If you suffer from hearing issues and wear aids, you will want to do all that you can to prevent moisture. If you have any issues with your aids, you will want to visit your hearing care specialist as soon as possible. At Chicago Beltone, our hearing care team is here to help prevent moisture damage.