Can Hot Weather Damage Your Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are essential devices with the sole purpose of assisting individuals with hearing loss to communicate effectively and enjoy their daily activities. Considering that 80% of hearing loss cases are managed with auditory devices, learning how to keep them well is necessary. These devices are designed to withstand different weather conditions but are susceptible to hot weather damage.

Impacted Battery Life

Hot weather can significantly reduce the battery life of your hearing aids. Extreme temperatures tend to drain the batteries quickly, leaving you with a short operating time. For instance, when you leave your hearing aids in a parked car in the sun, the battery overheats and drains faster than normal. That is why one crucial manufacturer instruction specifies keeping your hearing aids in a cool, dry place to preserve battery life.

Your hearing aid’s batteries can get drained due to your hearing device’s chemical makeup. The electrolytes evaporate or dry up, causing the battery to lose its charge quickly. Moreover, when the temperature is very high, the battery responds by overheating and ultimately gets damaged. Before you know it, you will require a new pair of aids or batteries.

Moisture Damage to Internal Components

On hot days, your body responds by heating up and cooling down through sweat. If you wear hearing aids, you will notice sweat and humidity seep into your hearing aid’s internal components, increasing the risk of corrosion, malfunctioning and even failure. For instance, when you wear hearing aids while exercising in hot weather, sweat can accumulate in the hearing aid’s receiver or microphone. You can stop this from happening by using a hearing aid dehumidifier to remove sweat and keep them dry.

It is worth noting that your hearing aid is equipped with a circuit board, and as expected of such gadgets, moisture is a threat to their function. Usually, when moisture gets into the circuit board, the first signs of damage show in reduced sound quality, no matter how much you increase the volume. At this stage, you may have to purchase a new pair. In other situations, you may need hearing aid repairs to get your devices working again.

Wax Buildup Damage

When the temperature is high, your body produces more sweat and the moisture travels into the ear canal, causing the earwax to become moist and sticky. Moreover, hot weather causes excessive wax buildup in your ears, leading to hearing aid blockage. When the ear canal becomes hot and moist, the wax melts and accumulates around the hearing aid’s receiver or speaker, inadvertently leading to muffled or distorted sounds.

Sometimes, an entire blockage prevents sounds from reaching the ear canal. Additionally, when the wax buildup comes into contact with the hearing aid’s internal components, it can cause corrosion and damage the device’s sensitive electronics. This damage can be permanent and require hearing aid repairs or replacements. However, seeing a hearing health professional is advisable if the wax buildup is excessive.

Taking care of your hearing aids is essential in helping them to stay in good condition and serve you well. Protecting them in hot weather can help prevent damage and increase their longevity. Talk with your hearing health professional about the best ways you can protect your hearing aids.