When the temperatures are low, you are not the only one feeling cold. The chilly weather can be tough on your hearing aids. Check out our best tips to keep your hearing aids safe through the winter.

Winter Tip #1: Check for signs that your hearing aids got wet

The real enemy to your hearing aids during winter is moisture and condensation. That’s why it’s a good idea to check them on a daily basis during the cold months.

Some signs of moisture inside your hearing aids include:

• Sound distortion
• Faded sound
• Static noise
• Your hearing aids turning on and off
• The batteries wear out more quickly than usual

These signs might disappear as they might only occur when the hearing aids are wet. But continue reading to learn how to avoid this from happening.

Winter Tip #2: Keep the batteries in your hearing aid warm and dry

Cold weather can be tough on the hearing aid’s batteries as they struggle to work properly in the low temperatures. The cold weather can weaken their quality and shorten their life expectancy. The best thing you can do is to store the batteries at room temperature. If you bring extra batteries with you on the go, try to keep them in a warm and safe place.

Winter Tip #3: Dry your hearing aids during nighttime

Just like glasses tend to bedew, temperature changes from warm to cold or the opposite can create condensation and moisture inside your hearing aids. Therefore, it is necessary to open the battery drawers on the hearing aids at night to air out the batteries or to use a dehumidifier or drying box to get rid of the excess moisture.

If you have rechargeable hearing aids, you can use a drying box or the Oticon SmartCharger which has a drying function. You should never use your hairdryer to dry your hearing aids as this can damage them beyond repair. Instead, you can ask your hearing care provider for advice on purchasing a drying box.

Winter Tip #4: Use a Oticon SafeLine™

If you enjoy going skiing or a good snowball fight Oticon’s SafeLine might be a good idea. A SafeLine is a hearing clip that helps keep your hearing aid in place no matter how fast paced your winter activities might be. This way you avoid losing your hearing aids in the snow where they might get damaged.

Winter Tip #5: Keep your ears and hearing aids warm

Earmuffs or a hat are a good idea. Not only do they keep your ears warm, but they also protect your hearing aids from rain and snow as well as moisture buildup which can lead to condensation inside the hearing aids.

An umbrella could also help keep your hearing aids dry if you are outside in the snow or rain. The most important thing to remember is: Dry and warm hearing aids are happy hearing aids!

If you are experiencing issues with your hearing aids, please contact your hearing care provider today!