Your Hearing Aids in Cold Weather
Things like humidity and sweat can put your hearing aids to the test. Cold winter weather is also hard on your hearing aids, so it must be monitored carefully.
A Few Tips
To avoid exposing your hearing aid microphones to the bad weather, it’s best to wear a toque or headband when it’s cold. This will prevent moisture from forming under your hair and keep your hearing aids dry. If you wear behind-the-ear hearing aids, make sure your hat isn’t too tight for better comfort.
If your level of hearing loss requires that you keep your hearing aids on while practicing a winter sport, wearing a thin sports headband under your helmet or toque might be a good idea. In addition to keeping your hearing aids dry, the headband will keep moisture away from the microphones.
Battery Life
When exposed to very cold temperatures, the circuits in your hearing aids have to work harder, so your hearing aid batteries won’t last as long. That’s why it’s important to have spare batteries with you. Get in the habit of keeping them on you, under your coat for example, so they stay warm and away from moisture. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you don’t leave your batteries or hearing aids in the car. Leaving your hearing aids in a cold environment for a long time might permanently damage their circuits.
Hearing Aid Maintenance
The sudden transition from the cold outdoors to indoor heat can create condensation in your hearing aids. Small water droplets can form near the microphones and reach the internal electronics. To prevent this from happening, remove your hearing aids, open the battery compartment and remove the battery to let fresh, dry air circulate whenever you come in from the cold. Then put your hearing aids in a container with an effective dehydrating tablet (which should be changed every three months). If your hearing aids come into direct contact with snow or sweat, or to protect your hearing aids from moisture at all times, using an electric dehumidifier for hearing aids might be a good option.
To help your hearing aids last longer, maintain them with cleaning products that are specially designed for this purpose.
Ask an audioprosthetist or specialized educator for more information.
Don't forget!
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient's needs.
