Summer in Topeka is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, barbequing and playing sports. However, if you wear hearing aids, it’s important to know how to protect them from the extra heat and moisture that comes with the season.
Four Ways To Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe in the Summertime
- Store your hearing aids properly. It’s always important to store your hearing aids somewhere cool and dry, especially in the summer. Make sure to avoid putting them anywhere they could be exposed to water or direct sunlight, and consider investing in a hearing aid drying box to remove excess moisture at night.
- Don’t let them get wet. Summer is the perfect time to spend a day on Lake Shawnee or swim some laps in the pool. However, while hearing aids are water-resistant, they are not waterproof, so it’s important to be mindful not to get them wet. Take them out and put them in a container away from the water before you decide to go swimming, and make sure to dry your ears before putting them back in.
- Be careful when applying sunscreen or bug spray. It’s important to protect your skin from damaging sun rays or avoid pesky mosquito bites while enjoying the outdoors. However, if these get on your hearing aids, they can impact performance by clogging the microphone and receivers, making it harder to hear. Prevent this by applying them before you put your hearing aids in and then washing your hands while giving the lotion time to dry before putting your hearing aids in.
- Prepare before traveling. Many people travel during the summer. Whether you’re going on a long trip or just driving to visit family for the weekend, it’s important you bring the right accessories to care for your hearing aids during your trip. This may mean extra batteries or your charger, storage case, as well as tools to clean your device, like a soft, dry cloth or a hearing aid cleaning kit.
Get A Hearing Check Up This Summer
Have you noticed changes in your hearing over the past year? Hearing loss is a common condition, with research showing us that “approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.”
If so, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. The earlier you are diagnosed with hearing loss and fitted with hearing aids, the better your treatment outcomes will be.
To schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact Topeka Ear Nose & Throat today.