All battery-powered electronic devices tend to perform poorly in colder climates. This includes hearing aids. When they are operating in dry indoor air or cold weather, battery life can suffer, as well as overall performance.
Read on to learn how winter months can cause your hearing aids to not perform as well and how to keep them operating at their best.
Batteries Affected by Cold Weather
Many hearing aid users complain about shorter battery life in their hearing aids during colder months. Most hearing aids are powered by zinc-air batteries, which are more sensitive to humidity and temperature changes.
Listed below are the ways cold weather can impact battery performance:
- Chemical Reactions Are Slowed: Zinc-air batteries require a chemical reaction to provide the necessary power to make hearing aids work their best. Cold weather slows down the chemical reactions, which makes battery power drain more quickly.
- Reduced Voltage Output: Colder weather means lower voltage produced. If the voltage level drops too low, the hearing aid may stop working altogether.
- Condensation Buildup: When a hearing aid is moved from outdoor cold weather to warm indoor air, it can cause moisture to build up inside the device. This can impact the effectiveness of the battery connections.
Dry Air and Hearing Aid Performance
Indoor heating systems can dry out the air more than usual, which can result in the following:
- Static Electricity: In dry air, static electricity can build up, which interferes with hearing aid microphones and speakers.
- Dry Skin in the Ears: Many people suffer from dry, itchy ear canals during the winter months, which can cause discomfort and impact how the hearing aid fits.
Additional Challenges in Winter
Aside from battery issues and dry air, here are some other problems you might notice with your hearing aids during the winter season:
- Trapped Moisture: Moisture can come from snow, rain, or sweat and become trapped due to wearing hats, scarves, or ear muffs. It can get inside the hearing aid and cause it to malfunction.
- Difficulty Handling Devices with Gloves: Wearing gloves in the winter months can make it difficult to change batteries or adjust the settings of your hearing aid.
Tips to Help Protect Your Hearing Aids in Winter
While winter months can be harsh on electronics, there are a number of things you can do to protect your hearing aids.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Warm
It is essential to store your hearing aids and batteries in a warm, dry location when not in use. Avoid keeping them in coat pockets, bags, or the car overnight.
Use a Hearing Aid Dryer or Dehumidifier
A dryer or dehumidifier helps to remove moisture from the air. Keep one near your hearing aid overnight to limit the amount of moisture in the air.
Open the Battery Door
One way to minimize moisture buildup is by opening the battery door to allow air to circulate better. This will minimize condensation and reduce the moisture in the device.
Change Batteries More Often
Expect shorter battery life in cold weather. Carry spare batteries with you just in case you need to change them while you’re out.
Use Protective Covers
These offer a way to keep your hearing aids safe from moisture generated by rain, sweat, or snow. There are hearing aid ‘socks’ and weather covers that can help with this.
Rechargeable Hearing Aids in Winter
Rechargeable hearing aids are a great convenience, but they do come with some issues when operating in cold weather.
- Lithium-ion batteries used in rechargeable hearing aids can lose charge faster in cold temperatures.
- Always charge your hearing aids at room temperature.
Conclusion
While winter weather can create challenges for people wearing hearing aids, it is not an impossible feat. Sure, cold temperatures and dry indoor air can affect a hearing aid’s performance, but taking precautions can help.
Keep your devices in dry, room-temperature locations and always remember to pack spare batteries if you are going out. This will help ensure your hearing aids operate at peak performance throughout the season.
Your hearing is important year-round. A little winter care goes a long way toward keeping your hearing aids working their best.