If you live in Canada, the cold is all but guaranteed. What most don’t know is that it can get just as hot in the summertime. As we gear towards preparing for hot weather, it’s important to be cautious about the heat and take necessary precautions to keep cool, especially with your hearing devices. Heat and humidity can affect the quality of hearing and cause technical difficulties such as buzzing or static noise and even complete loss of sound. It’s easy to forget safety measures when we’re busy having fun! Before you decide to race out of the house in hot weather, here are a few tips to help minimize heat, keep those hearing aids protected, and still have fun:

Keep your hearing aids dry! Moisture is a killer environment for hearing aids and the hotter the weather, the worse it gets inside the device when condensation builds. If your hearing aids get wet, make sure you wipe them down before using them. (Do not dump them into rice, please!) If you’re cleaning your hearing aids with water and soap, remember to thoroughly dry them before reattaching them to the technical part of the device- this includes the tubing, mold, or dome. Similarly, try keeping your ears dry from water and sweat by wiping them in and around with a clean cloth. You should also apply sunscreens, moisturizers, and hair products before putting your hearing aids on to prevent that concoction from entering them. Carry a small dry aid kit when going out and about as it can help absorb any moisture.

A dehumidifier is another helpful hearing aid tool that removes moisture from devices, which we know can be particularly damaging in combination with heat.

Try storing your hearing aids in a cool place whenever possible. Avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or places where temperatures can rise! (This includes inside the car/on the dashboard on a hot day, and even the hot pavement while you attempt to slam dunk in the neighborhood basketball hoop!)

Use protective covers if you can! Some hearing aids will come with protective sleeves, but you can also purchase them online or consider getting custom-made covers that help protect against heat, sweat, dirt, moisture, and wind noise. Also, it is a good idea to consider water-resistant covers (and waterproof ones when they’re available!) since we know moisture is a hearing instrument enemy.

Turn your hearing aids off when you’re not actively using them such as overnight or during periods of extended non-use. Like any other device, hearing aids are vulnerable to damage when the battery, circuits, or casing overheats. Being exposed to prolonged heat can degrade the hearing aid material, distort sound, and potentially extend its lifespan! Turning the device off and even removing the battery could possibly save it!

Regular maintenance as per the manufacturer’s guidelines is key, as is regularly inspecting your hearing aids for signs of damage or wear, which are easily exacerbated by hot weather conditions.

At Toronto Hearing Health clinic, we can help support your hearing aid needs, whether it’s hearing aid cleaning, custom ear plugs and protection, or more tips on how to help safeguard your hearing aids and ensure their longevity!

Written by: Mariam Naveed, CDA