How To Protect Your Hearing Aids During an Australian Summer
Australian summers are known for their scorching heat, high humidity, and long days spent outdoors. While we’re busy soaking up the sunshine, enjoying beach or pool days, socialising at a BBQ and exploring the great outdoors, it’s important to remember our hearing aids are working overtime. They need extra protection as the added heat, humidity and moisture they are exposed to, can interfere with their performance and overall lifetime.
Here’s a practical guide to help you care for your device and continue to keep them in great condition throughout the summer months.
Why Summer Can be Rough on Hearing Aids
Sweat and Moisture: Hot weather leads to increased perspiration. Moisture from sweat can seep into your hearing aids, especially around the microphone ports and battery contacts, causing corrosion, electrical issues or sound distortion over time.
Sunscreen, Insect Repellent and Skincare Products: Sunscreen is vital for skin protection, but it can be harmful to hearing devices. Oils and chemicals in sunscreens, insect repellents and moisturisers can clog microphones and vents, leading to reduced sound quality or malfunctions.
High Temperatures: Hearing aids are not designed to handle prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Leaving them in the glovebox of a hot car, on a bathroom windowsill, or even in direct sunlight whilst outdoors can be damaging. Regular exposure to high temperatures can cause plastic casings to warp, internal components to overheat and battery life may start draining faster.
Practical Tips for Summer Hearing Aid Care
To keep your hearing aids safe and functioning properly during the summer, follow these simple yet effective care strategies:
1. Wipe Them Down After Use: After a hot day (especially after being physically active or spending time outdoors), remember to always gently wipe down your hearing aids with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Avoid using tissues or paper towels, as they can leave behind fibres or lint. By doing so, this helps remove sweat, sunscreen, dust or any other residue before they can do damage.
2. Store Your Devices Properly: Do not leave your hearing devices in hot places such as in a car, in a beach bag, near a heat source or anywhere with direct sunlight. When not in use, store them in a protective hard case and keep them in a cool, dry and shaded area.
3. Use a Drying Kit Overnight: Moisture build-up is one of the most common causes of hearing aid malfunction. By investing in and using a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying kit overnight, this will help to remove invisible moisture that has built up during the day and therefore extend the life of your devices. This would be particularly helpful during humid or rainy summer weather.
4. Apply Products First: If possible, apply sunscreen, inspect repellent or other lotions, before inserting your hearing aids. Ideally you should wait for them to dry or absorb into your skin as well as wash and dry your hands before handling your hearing aids. This will help minimise residue transfer and reduce the risk of chemical build-up around the delicate hearing aid components.
5. Be Cautious Around Water: Always remove your hearing aids before swimming or showering. Wearing a sweatband can help protect your devices during intense exercise or sports. You could also consider using a waterproof container for device storage around wet areas.
Understanding IP67 Dust and Water Resistance
Many modern hearing aids come with an IP67 rating – which means they are dust-tight and water-resistant, but not waterproof. Essentially this rating means they can withstand being immersed in water up to 1 metre deep for up to 30 minutes. It is designed to combat accidental exposure to moisture such as getting caught in heavy rain, accidentally wearing your hearing aids into the shower or forgetting you had them on when you went to put your head under water at the beach or in a swimming pool.
Always treat your hearing aids with care even if they are IP-rated. It is a safety net, not a guarantee.
Book a Pre- and Post-Holiday Check-Up
It is important to get your hearing aids regularly cleaned and serviced to ensure they are always in their best condition for your use, especially before and after summer holidays.
- Before a trip: A quick check ensures your devices are working properly and free from build-up or minor issues that might become worse on holiday and spoil your enjoyment.
- After your return: Your audiologist can inspect your devices to help remove any build up from salt, sweat or sunscreen residue – as well as detect any early signs of wear.
Servicing appointments are also a handy time to restock on extra cleaning supplies, drying capsules or batteries, especially if you are planning on spending more time outdoors.
Final Thought: A Little Care Goes a Long Way
By making a few small adjustments during your summer routine, you can help extend the lifetime of your hearing aids and keep you hearing clearly all season long. By understanding how heat, sweat, and sunscreen affect your devices – and following some simple care tips – you can enjoy the Australian summer without compromising on sound quality or device health.