Winter weather is gorgeous and crisp, but it presents unique challenges for the nearly 30 million American adults who need hearing aids. Cold weather can affect the functionality of your hearing aids, and winter condensation can cause moisture damage. Let’s review why this is the case and explore ways to keep your hearing aids in good working condition throughout the cold months.
How the Cold Affects Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids, like many other electronics, struggle in extreme temperatures. The most common issue in cold weather is that the hearing aid battery life shortens because the hearing aid has to work harder. Rechargeable hearing aids may not last as long on a full charge as they do in warmer months, and replaceable batteries may need to be changed out sooner than usual.
The other primary way cold weather affects hearing aids is through moisture. There’s rain and snow, as well as condensation, which is a big issue in the winter, as cold air particles can’t hold as much water vapor as warm air particles. That’s why the windows on your car have so much condensation on them in the winter; that water is usually in the air when it’s warmer. Condensation can settle on your hearing aids when you’re wearing a hat or scarf, or when you move from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors—that sudden temperature change causes water vapor to change form quickly.
How to Protect Your Hearing Aids in the Cold
The biggest precaution to take in the winter is keeping your hearing aids dry. If the weather is snowy or rainy, wear a hat or jacket with a hood to keep your hearing aids out of the elements. If the weather is dry, prevent condensation by wearing earmuffs—since these only cover your ears, water vapor from your breath won’t get trapped under them, like it would under a scarf wrapped around your neck and mouth.
At nighttime, put your hearing aids in a drying kit or dehumidifier while you sleep to remove any moisture that accumulated over the course of the day. Do this every night; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
When to See a Hearing Health Professional
If you notice signs of moisture damage, take your hearing aids in for a service appointment right away before the damage gets worse. Signs of moisture damage include:
- Battery dying suddenly
- Corrosion on the battery or battery port
- Muffled or distorted sound
- Decreased volume or sound quality
- Feedback
- Rust
- Other malfunctions
If you notice any of these signs or if your hearing aids are acting up in any other way, contact Nelson Hearing Clinics. Moisture damage will worsen over time, so call us today.