Water is essential for human living, but it is the number one adversary of hearing aid efficiency and performance. Water can cause malfunction, corrosion, and loudness reduction by preventing sound from entering the microphones' acoustic ports. When airflow is impeded by moisture, the performance of zinc air batteries can suffer.
"Damage caused by extreme heat or cold may impair the performance of a hearing aid." Many of the damages are caused by temperature changes, which cause condensation of moisture within the aid, rather than by the temperature itself. This transition from hot to air-conditioned comfort and back can happen several times per day."
Interestingly, the microscopic components inside hearing aids are not damaged by freezing temperatures alone; in fact, we've done winter testing on our hearing aids and know that they will work in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. So, as Dr. Ross mentioned above, the problem isn't the chilly temperature, but rather the temperature change. Consider how often you move from a warm office or your cosy home out into the bitter cold during the winter. Temperature changes cause a buildup of moisture inside the hearing aid, and unlike eyeglasses, the condensation inside a hearing aid is more difficult to remove.
So, what can we do to protect our hearing aids from condensation caused by temperature fluctuations? To begin, keep in mind that our research engineers and scientists worked tirelessly to develop our HydraShield2 technology, which provides optimal water resistance and performance in extreme conditions. Second, here are a few things you can do at home to make sure your hearing aids work properly this winter.
Winter, especially in colder climates, can be hard on a variety of things, including autos, fingers and toes, and our psychology. But it doesn't have to be difficult for your hearing aids if you remember a few things to do — and not do — when using hearing aids in the winter.
Things to remember
- When removing hats and scarves, take care not to pull them off and lose your hearing aids.
- Keep backup batteries on hand (or a charger for rechargeable gadgets) because the winter cold can cause batteries to drain faster than usual.
- Consider removing your hearing aids before engaging in winter activities such as skiing or snowmobiling to avoid losing them or exposing them to excessive wetness.
- Allow your hearing aids to rest after coming in from the cold by removing them and opening the battery door to allow moisture/condensation to escape. (After removing rechargeable hearing aids, simply wipe them with a dry cloth.)
- To help extend the life of your hearing aids, use a hearing aid dehumidifier.
Things to avoid
- Don't be concerned that cold weather will destroy your hearing aids; they're made of sturdy stuff!
- Batteries and chargers should not be kept in the automobile.
- Rechargeable hearing aids should not be stored in a heated drying system.
- Don't forget to keep up with your hearing aid cleaning routine.
- If you notice distortion, sound cutting in and out, or static from your hearing aids, don't hesitate to contact your hearing professional.
It's ideal to keep yourself as educated with your hearing aids and a new breakthrough in the technology. Ask your query via Book an Appointment today. For more information visit https://hearing.careinc.ca or you can call us today at (403)605-6300