Tag Archives: Hearing Devices

Hearing Aids Detroit

Protecting Your Hearing Aids During the Summer

If you’re new to wearing hearing aids, you may have already noticed the challenges that certain temperatures can bring. In the winter, you’re constantly going back and forth between the outside cold weather and the inside warmth, which can cause condensation to form and damage your device. Even though the temperature may be slightly more consistent in the summer, there are other unique challenges to face. Here are some tips to ensure your hearing aids are safe throughout the Detroit summer.

Watch for Moisture

Even with water-resistant or waterproof hearing aids, it’s important to protect them from water and sweat that can harm the tiny parts of the device. If you’re outside in the heat, keep a dry cloth close by so you can protect them from sweat and keep them as dry as possible. You should also wear a sweatband if you are exercising. We wish you could swim with your hearing aid, but it’s best to take them out before getting in the pool.

Avoid High Temperatures

Devices that are left in high temperatures can eventually break down, so it’s important to avoid extreme heat as much as possible. When you are outside, take them out occasionally to let them cool and keep them in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.

Be Careful With Sunscreen

First, it’s important to not avoid sunscreen just because of your hearing aids. However, when you are applying lotion, consider removing the hearing aids first, and then washing your hands before putting them back in. The chemicals in the lotion can cause permanent damage to the device. This is especially important when using a spray sunscreen that you don’t have as much control over.

Bacteria

To fight fungi and bacterial growth on your hearing aids, use antimicrobial wipes to clean the device. This should be done regularly to prevent harmful contaminants from damaging the aids. Keep some wipes available wherever you are, so that if something should happen, you can clean them right away.

Traveling

If you’re planning a summer vacation, it’s important to plan ahead so that you can fully enjoy the trip. Be sure to pack some extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and a waterproof container that you can store the aids in when you’re not using them. Before you book a hotel, be sure that they offer accommodations for the hearing impaired, including visual cues for phones, doorbells, and alarms.

The audiologists at Platinum Hearing Aids want you to have a fun, worry-free summer! Use these safety precautions to protect your hearing aids and we hope you have a wonderful summer.

Hearing Aids

Can Cold Weather Affect Hearing Aids?

Can Cold Weather Affect Hearing Aids?

When you’re looking for hearing aids or a hearing aid test, we at Platinum Hearing Aids are here to assist you. As your trusted Detroit hearing aid specialists, it’s our aim to provide comprehensive audiology care. Not only will we provide you with quality products, but we’ll give you all the support you need to ensure that your hearing remains at its highest level possible. To accomplish this, though, you’ll need to always take care of your aids and prevent them from being damaged. Unfortunately, now that we’re approaching the winter season, this can be trickier due to the cold weather.

Man holding a hearing aid in his hand

The Effect of Cold Weather on Hearing Aids

If you wear a hearing aid or you’re considering one, you may be disappointed to hear that the cold weather can affect them. It’s not necessarily that the cold temperature itself that will damage it, but the condensation that occurs due to changes in temperature that can set into a hearing aid and harm it. It doesn’t even need to be snowing or raining for this to occur because moisture is present when there are extreme temperature changes. For example, you may be walking around outside in the freezing cold weather, but when you get back indoors, it could be 50-to-60 degrees warmer inside, which can form condensation on your hearing aids.

Signs That Your Hearing Aid May Have Been Damaged

Moisture can cause damage to your hearing aids by ruining the microphone and receiver and can also clog up the earmold tubing and sound. You’ll be able to notice that your aids have been damaged by spotting the following signs:

  • The sound will either fade out or it will come and go.
  • The hearing aid will cut out when there are loud noises.
  • Sounds are often unclear.
  • Static is commonly present when hearing anything.

Preventing Your Hearing Aids From Being Damaged

Moisture may be hard to avoid when it’s very cold out, but there are still some precautions that you can take to help keep your hearing aids in good working shape:

  • You may want to purchase a dehumidifier or a hearing aid drying kit. You can remove the batteries and keep your hearing aid inside it every night.
  • If it’s raining, use an umbrella. Also, make sure that your ears are covered when it’s snowing out.
  • If your hearing aid gets wet at all, take the battery out immediately.
  • You can purchase sweatbands or spandex covers to help keep them free of moisture.

Contact Your Detroit Hearing Aid Specialists!

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be glad to help in any way that we can. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with your Southfield and Allen Park audiologist for hearing aids or a hearing aid test, we encourage you to fill out our appointment request form or give us a call at (313) 381-4810. We can’t wait to hear from you!