We’re moving into the hot, dry days of late summer, where the heat is thick, and the air is dusty. If you’re a hearing aid user, you should be aware of how these conditions can affect your hearing devices.
Heat and Hearing Aids
Have you ever described a broken electronic as “fried?” It’s an apt descriptor, especially if heat caused the device’s demise. The same goes for hearing aids. Extreme heat can damage the delicate internal electrical components and the hearing aid battery, leading to decreased sound quality, power issues and many other malfunctions.
Additionally, some people notice that their hearing aids don’t seem to fit as well in hot weather. This is because heat makes things expand, so your ear domes and other parts of the hearing aid might expand just enough to make the fit feel slightly different.
To protect them from hot direct sunlight, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat on especially hot days to block the worst of the sun’s rays. If you need to take your hearing aids out for any reason, perhaps because you want to go play in the water, do not leave your hearing aids in direct sunlight; instead, stash them safely in a hearing aid case and tuck the case somewhere shady and safe, like a tote bag.
Dust and Hearing Aids
Walking around outside can kick up a lot of dust, especially in dry weather when there’s less moisture in the ground to hold the dirt in place. Be careful with dust around your hearing aids, as it can clog ports and speakers, get stuck in the vents and affect hearing aid performance.
To mitigate the hazards of dust, we once again recommend keeping your hearing aids covered. You can do this with a hat like above, or even with specialized hearing aid covers or sleeves. Also, be mindful of dust and sand on your hands; if you’ve been building a sandcastle or doing some gardening and you reach up to adjust your hearing aids with your dusty hands, you can transfer dust directly to your devices.
The other major way you can combat dust buildup in your hearing aids is to clean them daily. Hopefully, you already do this, but it’s extra important when daily conditions pose potential risks to your hearing aids’ performance. Wipe your hearing aids down with a cloth every night before bed to remove any dust or sand that might’ve gotten stuck.
Hearing Aid Malfunctions and What to Do About Them
If you start noticing that your hearing aids aren’t performing like they used to, it may be due to heat or dust. Some possible issues include:
- Volume issues
- Distorted sound quality
- Shorter battery life
- Spontaneously powering off
- Physical damage
If you notice any issues like these, bring them to us at South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan for a hearing aid service and repair appointment. We can also perform a thorough cleaning for dust and earwax in those nooks and crannies that your at-home cleaning kit can’t reach. Call today to learn more.