From exciting getaways to relaxing at home, summer’s various fun activities each come with their own soundscapes to enjoy. However, with all this enjoyment comes the challenge of maintaining clear hearing.
Your hearing aids, the unsung heroes of auditory clarity, face seasonal challenges that could impact their performance.
Summer Challenges: Heat, Sweat, Humidity and Dust
Summer introduces a host of environmental factors that can adversely affect your hearing aids.
The combination of heat, sweat and humidity is more than a minor nuisance: it can create significant issues for hearing devices.
Excess moisture is one of the foremost enemies of electronics, and hearing aids are no exception. Sweat can seep into the sensitive internal components of your hearing aids, leading to corrosion, distortion in sound or even device failure.
In addition, hitting the beach or going hiking exposes your hearing aids to sand, dust and other small debris. These particles can block the microphones and speakers, causing sound issues and reducing the functionality of your hearing aids.
The Importance of Clear Hearing When You Travel
Whether navigating bustling airports, understanding tour guides or maintaining conversations with family or fellow travellers, your hearing aids are crucial in ensuring you don’t miss important sounds or cues.
Social activities, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a festive outdoor concert, are typically noisier, with overlapping conversations and ambient sounds that demand higher performance from your devices.
Comprehensive Tune-Up Checklist for Summer
Doing a seasonal checkup can help adjust your hearing aids’ settings to differentiate speech from background noise, allowing you to engage fully and enjoyably in social settings.
Ensuring your hearing aids are in top shape for summer involves more than a rudimentary clean.
Deep Cleaning and Inspection
Begin with a comprehensive cleaning, removing any earwax buildup, dust or debris from the device with the help of a dedicated cleaning kit or clean microfiber cloth.
Regular professional checkups include inspecting crucial components like microphones and receivers, ensuring they are clear and functioning.
Battery Health Check
Heat can deplete battery life quickly. It’s advisable to regularly check the battery health and have spare batteries on hand during your travels and outings.
Mismanagement of power can lead to abrupt cut-offs during important conversations or while you're out enjoying an activity.
Having spare batteries at the ready, or your charging case and a portable charger for rechargeable models, can make all the difference!
Inspect Tubing and Receivers
The tubing and receivers in behind-the-ear models are especially susceptible to the summer elements. Ensure that they're inspected for any moisture-related damage or blockages. Tubing may also become brittle or worn, which calls for timely replacements.
Moisture Protection Strategies
Utilize hearing aid dehumidifiers, which are specifically designed to extract moisture from your devices overnight. This simple step can enhance performance and extend the lifespan of your hearing aids.
Tailoring to Different Environments
Outdoor activities often involve fluctuating noise levels where aspects like wind noise and group chatter compete for your attention.
Your friendly neighbourhood hearing health team can help configure your hearing aids to minimize disruptive sounds while amplifying speech.
Top Tips for Ongoing Summer Hearing Aid Care
Consistent Maintenance:
Wipe your devices daily with a clean, dry cloth to remove sweat and debris.
Safe Storage:
When not in use, store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving them in hot cars or under direct sunlight.
Utilize Accessories:
Consider using wind noise filters and moisture-resistant accessories to safeguard your hearing aids.
Embrace Your Summer of Sound
There’s an entire world of sounds waiting for you, no matter the season. Don’t let suboptimal hearing aids hinder your summertime fun!
Making sure your hearing aids meet the summer’s demands will not only protect your investment but also enrich your experiences.
Ready for a summer of crisp, clear sound? Schedule your hearing aid summer tune-up today!
For questions or concerns, request a callback, and a member of our team will get in touch with you to help as soon as we can. Alternatively, you can give us a call at (226) 674-1127.
