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Summer is waning and cooler weather is just around the corner. While for many lower temperatures bring with them a sigh of relief, cold weather can cause problems for people who use hearing aids.
Let’s look at several ways colder weather can affect hearing aids, as well as tips for caring for them.
Snowy and Rainy Weather
Snow and rain allow for condensation to occur in your hearing aid. It’s especially common after extreme changes in temperature, like when you come into a warm house after spending the day sledding or enjoying a snowy stroll. Over time this condensation can cause corrosion to parts of your hearing aid, leading to issues like reduced battery life, acoustic feedback, and even power failure.
Tip: Use a dehumidifier or drying box made for hearing aids and let the device dry overnight. Just make sure to remove the batteries beforehand. This allows air to circulate inside the hearing aid and prevents damage done to your battery from the dehumidifier.
Wind Noise
While many newer hearing aids come with noise-canceling features, intense wind can still cause overly loud or bothersome noise for some people.
Tip: Talk to your audiologist if you’re bothered by wind sound in your hearing aid. They may recommend a different model. You can also try using a hearing sleeve to minimize the effect of wind noise.
Hats and Hoods
This one may seem surprising at first, but if you have hearing aids with a lot of amplification, wearing a hat or a hood can cause feedback, a high-pitched whistling noise which can be unpleasant and interfere with your hearing.
Tip: If you’re noticing feedback with your current hats or hoods consider picking up a chunky-knit, close-fitting hat or umbrella the next time you’re at West Ridge Mall. Snug hats that don’t move around will likely cause less feedback, and umbrellas protect you from the elements without causing any feedback at all.
Additional Questions
While winter weather can pose a few problems for those hearing aids, simple steps like those above should be enough to avoid any issues.
If you’re having any issues with your hearing aids, have additional questions or want to schedule an appointment, contact Topeka ENT today to speak with an expert audiologist.