Vero Beach can get quite hot and humid in the summertime. If you are a hearing aid user, you may be wondering if hot temperatures can damage your device.
How Warm Weather Can Affect Your Hearing Aids
Warm weather can affect your hearing aids in a variety of different ways. For starters, your body temperatures start to rise when you are in warmer temperatures. This is especially true if you’re doing something more physical, like playing volleyball or taking a walk at Riverside Park. This can lead to increased sweating and moisture, which, if left to build up, can damage the electrical components of your hearing aid.
Additionally, things like sunscreen, insect repellant or tanning lotions can get onto your device and cause problems as well, including clogging the microphone and affecting sound quality.
Another potential for your hearing aids is exposure to direct sunlight. While this won’t happen when you’re wearing them, placing them in direct sunlight while you’re not wearing them can leave them vulnerable and potentially melt some of the internal components of your device.
Protect Your Hearing Aids When It’s Hot Outside
There are several extra steps you can take to keep your hearing aids safe when it’s hot outside, including:
- Store them in a cool, dry place away from moisture, sunlight or direct heat.
- Make sure to clean them every night and wipe them down any time after you’ve been sweating more than normal.
- Consider using a hearing aid drying box or desiccants for storage. Leave the battery compartment open while they are in there to help wick away additional moisture.
- Use hearing aid accessories like sleeves, or consider a sweat-resistant headband if you’re working out in hot conditions.
- Visit a hearing specialist if you are experiencing any performance issues with your device or suspect damage caused by exposure to heat or moisture.
Should You Get Hearing Aids?
While your hearing aids need a little extra care in the hotter months, if you’re one of the 28.8 million adults in the United States who could benefit from hearing aids, there’s no reason to wait until the temperatures are cooler to schedule an appointment with an audiologist to discuss your options.
They will examine your ears and administer a hearing test to determine what sounds you struggle with and what your individual needs are and work with you to find a pair of hearing aids that best fits you and your lifestyle.
To speak with a specialist or to schedule an appointment, call Aaron's Hearing Aid & Audiology Center today.