Maintaining Your Hearing Devices in the Summer

Summer shows up differently depending on where you live. Maybe it’s a backyard barbecue, a day at the lake or a hike somewhere dry and dusty a few states over.

But no matter where you are, summer usually means more time outside and more sweat working against you. It also means more heat working against your hearing devices, whether you notice it or not. If yours have felt a little off lately, that’s not a coincidence.

Heat and moisture are rough on hearing aids in different ways. Sweat can make sound less clear and, with repeated exposure, start wearing on the small parts inside. High temperatures are another problem because batteries tend to run down faster in the heat.

Too much heat also puts extra strain on the electronics that keep your hearing aids working properly.

A few small habits, like drying your devices off and giving them breaks from direct sun, can help them hold up through the rest of the season. That’s true no matter which part of the country you happen to be in.

How Heat and Humidity Affect Your Hearing Devices

Your hearing devices deal with a lot more in summer than you might think. Humid air leaves moisture behind in tiny openings and around battery contacts, even when the devices never get visibly wet. You might notice sound cutting in and out, weaker performance or a device that just does not seem to be working quite right.

High temperatures create their own problems inside the device. Excessive heat can place stress on electronic components and reduce battery efficiency. Materials in the casing and tubing may also respond poorly when exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods.

The safest approach is to limit unnecessary exposure when temperatures climb. Keep hearing devices out of parked cars, direct sunlight and other enclosed spaces that trap heat.

If the weather is especially humid, give your devices time to dry thoroughly once you are back indoors.

Keeping Sand, Sweat and Dust Out of Hearing Devices

Beach trips, yard work and hiking all expose hearing devices to particles that are easy to overlook. Sand and dust settle around microphone openings, controls and other narrow spaces. Once lodged there, debris can interfere with sound or make buttons harder to use.

Sweat adds another complication during workouts, gardening or long afternoons outside. Salt left behind after perspiration dries can collect around the casing and battery area. A soft, dry cloth can remove surface moisture before it has time to build up.

It also helps to think about when wearing your devices makes sense. Rough sports, sandy activities and other situations with frequent impact create extra opportunities for scratches or debris. A protective case gives you somewhere secure to place them when needed.

Keeping Hearing Devices Dry Around Water

Pools, lakes and sudden summer storms create a different risk because hearing devices contain sensitive electronics. Water can reach internal components quickly if a device becomes submerged. Even devices with water-resistant features are not meant for every type of water exposure.

Removing your hearing devices before swimming is the safest approach. A secure case also gives you a dependable storage option near the pool, beach or boat. Keeping the case away from direct spray or standing water adds another layer of protection.

Summer rain has a way of showing up out of nowhere, especially during outdoor events or travel. A hat or umbrella can buy you enough coverage to get somewhere dry. Once home, a drying system takes care of whatever moisture is present after a humid or rainy day.

Keep Sunscreen and Lotion Away From Your Hearing Aids

Sunscreen and lotion are basically non-negotiable in summer, but hearing aids don’t do well with grease and residue. That oily buildup collects around microphones, buttons, and every other little opening on the device. Once it settles in there, sound starts coming through softer or less clear.

Try putting your skin products on before you put your hearing aids in. Let the sunscreen or lotion soak in, then wash and dry your hands before you touch your devices. That one small habit cuts down a lot on residue getting transferred throughout the day.

If some product does end up on a hearing aid, wipe it off with a soft, dry cloth. Just be careful not to push any of it toward the microphone openings while you’re cleaning. Keeping creams away from those spots makes day-to-day care a lot easier.

Build a Simple Summer Cleaning Routine

Hot weather leaves more sweat, skin oil and outdoor grime on your hearing aids than you’d get in cooler months. A quick check each evening catches buildup before it settles into all those small openings.

It’s also a good chance to notice if anything looks different than it did the night before. A basic nightly routine looks something like this:

• Wipe the outer casing down with a clean, soft cloth
• Gently brush away any dry debris from the microphone openings
• Check the wax guard and swap it out if it needs it
• Take a look at the battery compartment for any visible moisture

Store Hearing Aids Away From Summer Heat

A parked car becomes extremely hot during summer, even when the outside temperature feels manageable. Hearing aids left inside are exposed to temperatures that damage batteries, plastics and internal electronics. Direct sunlight on a table, dashboard or outdoor chair creates a similar problem.

When you remove your hearing aids, place them in their protective case and keep the case somewhere shaded. Avoid leaving it beside a pool, inside a hot vehicle or on sun-heated outdoor furniture. A cool indoor location is usually the better choice.

Hot weather is hard on hearing aid batteries too. Keep spare disposable batteries indoors in a dry spot instead of leaving them loose in a warm car. If you wear rechargeable hearing aids, charge them somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.

Summer Accessories That Add Extra Protection

Some summer activities put more sweat, dust and debris on your hearing aids than routine care can really handle.

A few accessories can add protection without changing how you normally wear your devices. Which one makes sense depends on where you spend your time and how active you actually are.

Moisture-resistant sleeves fit over many hearing aids and help reduce contact with perspiration, dust and light debris. Headbands or sweatbands are another practical choice during workouts, yard work or other active days. They absorb moisture before it reaches the area around your ears.

Drying accessories are useful once the day is over. Electronic dryers and desiccant containers help draw out moisture that lingers after humid weather or physical activity. Portable drying containers are especially convenient during travel, camping or weekends away from home.

Signs That Moisture Is Affecting Your Hearing Aids

Moisture problems in hearing aids do not always begin with a completely silent hearing aid. Changes in sound or performance sometimes appear first. Recognizing those changes gives you a chance to respond before continuing to wear a device that is not working properly.

Watch for changes after a sweaty day, a rainstorm or an accidental splash. Moisture problems often show up in the way your hearing aids sound or behave before you see anything unusual.

• Static, crackling or sound that cuts in and out
• Voices that suddenly sound softer or muffled
• Hearing aids that shut off for no clear reason
• Moisture or corrosion around the battery compartment

Rechargeable hearing aids need a little more care because the battery stays inside the device. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions after significant water exposure. If the sound still seems off after the hearing aid has dried, there may be moisture deeper inside.

When Summer Hearing Aid Problems Need a Professional

Cleaning, drying and swapping in a fresh battery don’t always fix everything. If distortion, low volume or constant cutting out keeps happening, that’s usually something going on beneath the surface.

Moisture that’s worked its way inside or debris stuck deep in the device isn’t something you can safely dig out at home.

A qualified hearing clinic can examine areas that are not accessible with routine cleaning tools. Professional tools can remove stubborn buildup, evaluate internal components and check whether the hearing aid is producing sound as expected. Cracks, worn parts or corrosion can also be identified during the inspection.

Seek help sooner when a hearing aid remains unreliable after basic care. An inspection can determine whether cleaning, repair or another service is needed before the issue becomes more disruptive.

Keep Your Devices Running Through the Heat

Summer takes a toll on hearing devices no matter where you live. Heat and sweat build up in ways most people don’t notice until something starts sounding off. Hear Again America can check whether your devices are handling the season as well as they should.

A few small habits go a long way toward avoiding bigger problems later. But if something already feels different, don’t wait until fall to get it looked at. Call (877) 905-9493 and we’ll help you figure out what’s actually going on.