If you’re among the one in eight people in the United States aged 12 years or older who has hearing loss in both ears (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) and you wear hearing aids, you may be wondering how you can protect your investment. In the springtime, you need to take extra care of them due to the rainier, more humid weather and participation in outdoor activities. We review how below.
Clean Your Hearing Aids Daily
The days are getting longer, which means you may be staying up later. Even if your routine is changing, it’s important to keep up with daily cleanings. The reason this is especially important during spring months is because, not only are your hearing aids subjected to the usual earwax and dirt, but also pollen. The last thing you want is for pollen to infiltrate the ports of your hearing aids and clog them up.
Avoid Moisture
If it’s raining out, make sure your hearing aids avoid moisture by wearing a raincoat with a cinched hood or using an umbrella.
Similarly, if you’re doing any water activities, like swimming, make sure you take your hearing aids before participating.
Get a Dehumidifier
Because springtime is more humid, even if you’re able to avoid water droplets and splashes, you should invest in a dehumidifier. This is a container that has a desiccant, which draws residual moisture out of your hearing aids. This is also good to have on hand if your hearing aids are accidentally dropped in a puddle, or you get caught in a surprise rainstorm.
Be Careful with Sprays
If you’re applying sprays like sunscreen or bug spray, be sure to take your hearing aids out before applying, as these substances can build up on your hearing aids and clog the ports.
Limit Sun Exposure
On sunny days, wear a wide-brim hat or hang out in the shade. Also, if you take your hearing aids out, avoid putting them in a hot car or windowsill. Direct sunlight can be damaging to hearing aids. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid expert, call Hearing Healthcare Center, Inc. today.