Hearing aids are remarkable devices that could benefit as many as 28.8 million U.S. adults.[1] Each device is designed to last for years, but there’s one thing that can get in the way of that long lifespan: Georgia heat.
How Heat Affects Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are as sensitive to heat as any other electronic device. Extreme heat can drain batteries, damage circuitry or warp the casing. Damaged hearing aids may deliver faulty sound, including low volume, crackling or feedback and have a shorter lifespan.
Protecting Your Hearing Aids
You don’t need to leave your hearing aids at home to keep them safe this summer; just take the following protective measures:
- Keep your devices in the shade. If you’re about to jump into the National Hills Pool, place your hearing aids in a shady spot, preferably in their case, in a bag, to protect against the sun. If you’re going out for a hike, consider wearing a hat to put your hearing aids and your face out of the sun’s direct glare.
- Don’t leave your hearing aids in the car. Anybody with a car knows how sweltering it feels when you first hop inside on a hot day. Just as the heat is uncomfortable for you, and even dangerous for long lengths of time, the inside of a hot car is no place for your hearing aids. When you get out of the car, double-check that you have your hearing aids and their case; this is especially important if you aren’t the driver and aren’t wearing your hearing aids.
- Use a dehumidifier. A hearing aid dehumidifier or drying jar should be your best friend in the summer. Moisture from sweat and humidity, especially in a place as humid as Georgia, can damage your devices’ internal components and degrade sound quality. Clean your hearing aids nightly with a cleaning kit and place them in a dehumidifier or a drying jar to remove moisture.
Keeping your hearing aids safe will help you enjoy clear sound all summer long. For more information about hearing aid maintenance, contact Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy today.
[1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2024, September 20). Quick statistics about hearing, balance, & dizziness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. [nidcd.nih.gov]