Fort Wayne is getting a little chillier. With a cold bite in the air and snowy days rearing their heads, it’s time to talk about how you can take care of your hearing aids this winter.
How Is Winter Hearing Aid Care Different?
The freezing temperatures, drastic temperature shifts from indoors to outdoors, damp clothes and a few snowball fights can all put your hearing aids at risk of damage this season.
How Can I Care For My Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids could benefit at least 28.8 million U.S. adults. For all the improved speech clarity they offer, you probably want to make sure you’re taking good care of them. Try a few of the following to protect against winter hazards:
- Don’t leave hearing aids in the cold. Storing your hearing aids in your car or a cold windowsill can drain your batteries. The same goes for storing extra batteries or chargers. Instead of keeping extras in your vehicle, store them in your purse or bag and bring the bag inside each day.
- Clean daily. You might be more inclined to clean your devices in the summer, when sweat and debris accumulate more quickly, but it’s just as important to do a daily cleaning with a cleaning kit in the winter.
- Watch out for snow. Today’s hearing aids are built to be water-resistant or waterproof, up to a certain depth, meaning you can wear your hearing aids in snowy environments. However, it’s still best to limit the amount of moisture contact and dry your devices thoroughly when they get wet. Try keeping your devices in a desiccating jar or specialty dryer overnight to ensure they’re fresh for the morning. If you notice that your devices have condensation after coming in from the cold, usually from the shift from cold to warm, wipe them off with a clean, soft towel.
- Wear a headband. If you’re heading to Franke Park for a snowball fight, wear a headband over your hearing aids. The headband will keep them in place in the event that an errant snowball attempts to dislodge them.
For more information on caring for your devices this winter, or to schedule a service appointment, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.