Summer Tips for Hearing Aid Care

With the onset of summer, those with hearing aids must give extra attention to their hearing aid care to ensure they remain undamaged and working for a long time. 

There are a lot of potential threats to hearing aids throughout the warmer months. However, if you take additional precautions, you can fully enjoy the beauty of summer and all it encompasses without worrying about damage with perfect summer hearing care. 

Tips for Hearing Aid Care

While a few extra steps might be required to ensure your hearing devices remain in correct working order, the good news about wearing hearing aids is that they don’t restrict your activities. Just keep the below in mind when enjoying summer fun to have the best summer hearing health!

• Humidity and sweat

Scorching summer temperatures can cause hearing aids to become sweaty, whether you’re outside exercising, going for a stroll, doing errands, or relaxing at the beach. Thankfully, hearing aids can handle a bit of moisture and sweat. If extra sweat is a concern, you can use a trendy bandana or sweatband to absorb excess sweat.

However, when you get back home after a day out in the heat, your hearing aids may require extra attention. Place them in a dry box or with a dehumidifier to extend their lifespan and eliminate excess perspiration on your hearing aid tips.

• Bug spray and sunscreen

During summer, many people frequently use bug spray and sunscreen to protect themselves from insects and sun exposure. However, it’s crucial to avoid getting these products on or into your hearing aid. If lotion or spray gets into your device, it can damage the battery and microphone, which can be costly to repair.

To protect your hearing aids and the hearing aid ear tips, it’s best to remove them before applying any product. After applying sunscreen or bug spray, wait for it to dry completely before putting your hearing aids back on. 

This precaution is also essential when reapplying these products throughout the day. By following these tips, you can safeguard your hearing aids and ensure they continue to function properly.

• Travel

When getting ready to travel with your hearing aids, it’s important to plan ahead. Put together a complete travel kit for your hearing aids. This should include a waterproof or hard case to protect your devices, a dryer to keep them moisture-free, extra batteries or a charger for continuous use, domes and wax guards for maintenance, a cleaning kit for proper hygiene, and any other daily accessories you need for your specific hearing aid model. 

This comprehensive travel kit will help you have a hassle-free and comfortable travel experience while ensuring that your hearing aids are properly cared for and maintained.

• Heat and sun

Avoid placing hearing aids in direct sun (lying on the beach/outdoors) or heat (locked in a truck or car). Even if the windows are down, the interior of a vehicle can reach 49°C during summer. 

Extreme heat warps, damages, and cracks hearing aids. Instead, store them in a dry, cool location when you are not using them.

• Regular cleaning

It’s important to clean your hearing aids after each use. While that’s true all year round, it’s even more essential during the summer. We sweat behind our ears throughout, which means perspiration is collecting on your hearing aids. Ensure you clean and wipe them down at the end of each day.

Furthermore, have your hearing devices professionally cleaned at the end of the season. A professional can do a more thorough cleaning and inspect them to see if there is any sand or water damage. If there is, they will know how to fix it.

• Water and swimming

Most hearing aids are sweat and water-resistant. However, many people don’t realize that water and sweat-resistant products are not the same as water/sweat-proof items. “Resistant” devices mean they will repel water, but their seams are not sealed against water. Water can still accumulate in these devices, causing damage.

Hearing aids that are water/sweat-resistant cannot be worn in oceans, lakes, pools, or showers. If you are going into the water, bring a waterproof case to protect your hearing aids. Ensure that you are fully dry before wearing your hearing devices.

Tilt your head to each side to ensure your ears are completely dry. This tip removes water in the inner ear canal better than simply towel drying. Dry the insides and outsides of the ear with your towel, and use alcohol solutions to remove residual water.

Waterproof/Sweatproof Hearing Aids

For individuals with active lifestyles, there is a waterproof option available for hearing aids. Phonak Audeo Life Lumity is the first rechargeable, waterproof hearing aid. These devices:

• Sweat and water-proof
• Have Bluetooth connectivity
• Are compatible with the myPhonak app, Phonak wireless accessories, and Rogers’ microphones
• Have health data tracking

These hearing aids also come in various colours, so users can choose their favourite.

The Audeo L-RL is a receiver-in-canal. It contains a rechargeable, built-in battery and is suitable for those with mild/profound hearing loss.

Contact Hearing Solutions for Your Summer Hearing Aid Care

Wearing hearing aids does not have to hamper your summer enjoyment. However, it does mean you may have to do things differently. Hearing aids don’t handle extreme heat and prolonged exposure to water very well. 

Such elements break down the components of the device. Yet, with the above summer hearing aid care tips, you can enjoy the outdoors while ensuring your device remains functional.

If you lead an active lifestyle, your hearing aids can keep up without holding you back. While many are sweat and water-resistant, there are brands that offer a waterproof option.

If you are concerned about your hearing, please book an online hearing test with Hearing Solutions to discuss your summer hearing health. 

For any questions regarding existing devices, contact us at 1-888-811-9799 or fill out a form here. Our clinics are in the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, London, and Ottawa.

References

Oticon. (n.d.). Summer Hearing Aid Care Guide. Hearing aids, information on hearing loss and tinnitus. https://www.oticon.com/blog/summer-hearing-care

Phonak audéo life Lmity – Phonak- Pakistan, Phonak. (2024, April 11). 
https://intl.phonak.com/en-pk/product/phonak-audeo-life-lumity/

Signia USA, Protecting your hearing aids against heat, humidity, and H2O. Hearing Industries Association. (n.d.). https://betterhearing.org/newsroom/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-aids-against-heat-humidity-and-h2o/ 

Widex. (2023, June 9) Summer hearing aid care: Tips for protecting your investment. 
https://www.widex.com/en-ca/blog/global/2023-06-summer-hearing-aid-care/