From icy sidewalks to frozen pipes, winter weather can cause so much hassle. But how often do you stop to think about its impact on your hearing device?

Condensation and Hearing Aids

It’s freezing. You dig the car out from under a snow drift and then scrape ice off the windshield. You get into the car, and the next thing you know your breath is freezing on the inside of the glass. This is all because of condensation and moisture in your warm breath condensing into droplets when it hits the cold windshield.

The trouble is, when you’re wearing a hearing aid, leave a warm house, and enter a frozen world, your hearing device is also vulnerable to picking up moisture. Condensation forming inside the case of your behind-the-ear device can degrade the delicate electrical components and interfere with their functioning.

Therefore it’s even more important to pop your hearing aid in a dehumidifier overnight, to minimize the buildup of moisture. Dehumidifiers are inexpensive, simple to use, and can extend the functional life of your hearing aid. Your audiologist can show you the types of dehumidifier that are available, with the simplest models costing just a few dollars. (Top tip: A dehumidifier isn’t just for winter use, but essential if you get sweaty whilst exercising, or live in a humid environment.)

Also, make sure to keep your batteries dry. The battery compartment is another spot that is prone to condensation buildup, so open it up every night. Remove the battery and wipe it over with a warm, soft cloth and then do the same for the battery compartment. Leave the housing open overnight (preferably in a dehumidifier) and replace the batteries in the morning.

Damp Weather and Hearing Aids

Of course winter isn’t just about snow, it’s also a time of blustery showers, mist and fog. If you’re outdoors in such weather then there’s every chance your hearing aid will get wet. A great way to prevent this and to improve the listening quality is to purchase a custom sweatband for your hearing device.

These are small sleeves that slide over the body of your behind-the-ear device. A bit like putting your hearing aid in its own raincoat, sweatbands are water repellent and give that extra bit of protection against the elements. Also, the fabric of the sweatband shields the microphone from the worst of the wind whistling past your ear. Again, your audiologist can point you in the direction of sweatbands suitable for your model of device.

Background Noise Reduction

From howling winds to snow blowers, winter can be a noisy time of year. Indeed, a snowmobile engine registers a hefty 100 dB, (bear in mind, hearing damage can occur from 85 dB). So it’s worth protecting your ears from the cold and shielding your hearing device by covering your ear with a pair of ear muffs.

Remember, just as you’d rug up for winter, consider protecting your hearing aid.