Baby it’s cold outside. Frozen may have been a breakout hit in theaters, but that doesn’t mean you should let hearing aid care go! As the temperatures dip, snow starts to fall, and your face feels like an icicle, it’s important to double up on ear protection and pay special attention to your hearing aid. Don’t get caught in the middle of a polar vortex without the necessary preparation.
Ear Gear
Keeping your ears warm is as easy as putting on a hat or earmuffs. While overly warm ears can be more detrimental than overly cold ears for hearing aids, don’t forget about keeping your ears happy! Rain, snow, and sleet can cause additional harm to your hearing aids, making ear gear essential. Cold, and especially cold water, causes exostosis within your ear. This is when benign enlargements of bone grow from the bone’s surface. Exostosis puts pressure on nerves, muscles, and blood vessels and can cause blockages in the sinuses. Condensation is common when you move from indoors to outdoors and there is a drastic change in temperature. Prevent this moisture build-up by adding layers to your ears!
Slips and Falls
The sidewalk can turn into a personal skating rink as temperatures decrease. Half of falls in the elderly population take place outside, and tumbles happen 20 percent more often with weather advisories in place. Even scarier is the fact that those with hearing loss may fall up to 30 percent more often than those without. Be sure to purchase well-fitting hearing aids, as a bad fall could jar hearing aids out of place or even out of your ear. Audicus provides varied sizes of silicon domes for your hearing aids to ensure proper fit!
Ear Infections
With the onset of colder weather also comes the possibility of infections. When temperatures drop, blood circulates slower, which means it’s even more important to keep your ears away from bacteria and moisture. Ear infections alone can cause hearing loss, and for those with hearing aids, the inflammation can become uncomfortable. They can also decrease appetite, make it harder to sleep, and cause fever. See your doctor as soon as possible to obtain antibiotics and clear up your infection! Fight back against ear infections by maintaining a regular exercise regimen to promote blood flow, stay up to date with your vaccinations, practice good hygiene habits, and stop smoking. If needed, surgery can be a last resort, though this is more common in children.
Batteries
Don’t fall prey to the myth that the cold lengthens battery life! Lower temperatures make it more challenging for electrons to complete the current, slowing down productivity. Batteries can also deteriorate or rust when they come into contact with moisture, i.e. snow, rain, sweat. To prolong the life of your batteries, remove them from your hearing aid at night and ensure your hearing aid is kept away from moisture. When you purchase your hearing aids through Audicus, you are even provided with helpful cleaning and care videos! This winter season, bundle up and care for your hearing aids!
