Wearing hearing devices should enhance your summer fun, not get in the way! Generally speaking, your hearing devices should be low maintenance, but there are some special tips and tricks to keep them working well through the summer heat.
Keeping your hearing devices dry and away from moisture is really important. Almost all devices will have a water-resistant coating, but that coating can wear down over time and become less effective. Hearing devices are most susceptible to moisture build-up in the microphones because a microphone can’t be fully sealed without having a negative impact on sound quality. To prevent moisture damage, try the following tips:
Dry your ears before putting the devices in. This is especially important if you’re in and out of water swimming or participating in other water activities.
If you’re at the beach, make sure you have a safe, waterproof container you can store your devices in when you head into the water.
Sweat can drop onto the microphones and cause damage if there is an excessive amount (if you’re pouring sweat, that’s enough to potentially damage the microphones). So, if you’re planning to be out in the heat for several hours, it might be worth considering storing the devices if possible.
Hearing devices, like any electronic device, are susceptible to heat damage if left in the sun. They can manage some degree of heat but avoid putting them in direct sunlight, and keep them in the shade, even when stored in a container. Avoid leaving them in your car without proper air ventilation, and store them in the glove box or other spot out of the sun.
Drier months often mean more dust. Dust can plug microphones and decrease the effectiveness of your hearing devices. Make sure you’re brushing the microphone ports regularly in a downward motion (prevents dust and debris from falling deeper into the ports).
Hearing devices today have wind noise features that automatically engage when wind is detected. That should mean more comfortable listening when the breeze blows through, but it could make it harder to understand people. If you’ve noticed the wind noise reduction is too strong, ask your audiologist to help adjust the settings so you’re getting enough sound, despite the wind.
Ask your local hearing expert for more advice if you’re not sure how to care for your hearing devices during the hotter months. We’re ‘hear’ to help you hear, no matter the weather!