Summer may be winding down, but the heat and humidity are sticking around well past Labor Day. In addition to liberally applying sunscreen to keep your skin safe and drinking excess amounts of water to avoid dehydration, you should consider taking extra precautions to ensure your hearing aids continue working well into fall.
Top Hearing Aids Risk this Summer
With school out and employers encouraging their staff to take their well-earned paid time off, summer is filled with activities. But some of these can be putting your hearing aids at risk. As your connection to the hearing world, keeping your hearing aids in working order is crucial.
High Heat
Most summer days in Florida gets up to triple digits. This can cause damage to the outer casing of your hearing aids as well as the batteries, especially when left in direct sunlight. Never leave your hearing aids in a hot car, as temperatures can quickly skyrocket. If you have to take your hearing aids out of your ears, find a cool, dry place to store them.
Salt Water
Water and electronics don’t mix. Salt water is especially hazardous to hearing aids, as exposure can cause a crust of salt crystals to build up inside. Regardless if you are spending the day at Jacksonville Beach on a sailboat or only lounging on the sand, you should safely store your hearing aids in a dry kit. A hearing aid sleeve made of spandex or polyester can also help protect your hearing aids from sand and spray.
Pool Water
Chlorinated pool water is not any safer for your hearing aids, as it can corrode the batteries and damage the microphone or receiver. Always remove your hearing aids when spending any time near a pool, as you never know when you will be in the splash zone.
Sweat
There is nothing much you can do to prevent sweating during a Florida summer. Sweat and humidity can lead condensation to develop inside your hearing aid, which can damage the inner workings of the device. Consider investing in a dehumidifier to help your hearing aid dry out overnight.
To learn more about protecting your hearing aid this summer or to schedule an appointment with a hearing aid professional, contact The McCoy Institute of Hearing and Balance today.
