Driving along the coastline or enjoying a breathtaking view from the top of the Camden Hills State Park trail are just two examples of the fun you can have during Maine’s beautiful summers. If you wear hearing aids, it’s crucial to know how to care for your devices during all your swimming, hiking, biking and beach volleyball.
Three Summer Hearing Aid Hazards
An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids.1 Recognizing the potential dangers to your devices and taking steps to prevent them is the best way to continue enjoying those benefits.
There are three central hazards you need to watch out for in the summer:
- Heat. When an electronic device gets too hot, its delicate components can malfunction. Hearing aids are no different.
- Water. Most hearing aids are water-resistant, but fewer are completely waterproof. Splashing around at the beach or heading to your community pool is fun, but it can put your devices at risk of damage if you’re not careful.
- Falls. Though hearing aids are custom-designed to fit in your ears, vigorous activity, like running around or doing a little upside-down yoga at the park, can cause them to fall out. Once your hearing aids are on the ground, they’re easy to step on or lose.
Though these hazards are real, they aren’t guaranteed to happen. With a few simple strategies, you can keep your devices safe and functioning perfectly.
Device Care Strategies
Try the following to ward off summer hearing aid damage:
- Store your hearing aids in cool places. It’s common for people to place their hearing aids in their car or on a windowsill. During hot Maine summers, those places, especially your car, can reach dangerous temperatures. Keep your devices on your person if you remove them outside the home and store them in a cool, dry place when you take them out at home.
- Bring a waterproof case. If you’re going out for a beach or pool day, bring a waterproof electronics case. Anytime you’re going in the water, remove your devices and place them in their case and store the case in a safe, dry location.
- Grab a hearing aid dryer. An electric hearing aid dryer or a jar filled with desiccating beads is your best friend during Maine’s muggy summers. Place your devices in the dryer whenever you see moisture accumulating. Days when you sweat a lot or go to the beach are great opportunities to use your dryer.
- Secure your devices. Attach your devices to your shirt with special hearing aid clips during any vigorous activity or yoga session.
By taking the above precautions, you can enjoy a great summer without damaging your hearing aids. For more information about caring for your hearing devices, contact Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology today.
Sources
1 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2024, September 21). Quick statistics about hearing, balance, & dizziness. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing