How to help protect your hearing aids in winter weather

Winter brings all sorts of fun. Especially if you’re one of those folks who thrives in the cold. But it also brings on all kinds of weather. It’s chillier outside, so you may need to wear a hat or a scarf to keep out the cold. Or you might get caught unprepared by the sleet or snow.

And if you wear hearing aids, winter may bring about some challenges, too. This could range from moisture issues to battery drain and lost devices.

Here are some common wintertime hazards for people with hearing aids. Plus, the solutions that might help.

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Winter hazard #1: Moisture damage

“Just like your phone or computer, hearing aids can be damaged when exposed to moisture,” says Dave Fabry, Ph.D. He’s an audiologist and chief hearing health officer at Starkey Hearing. He also lives in Minnesota, so he knows a thing or two about wintertime hearing aid challenges.

Where does the moisture come from? When you step into your warm house from the cold outside, condensation might form on your hearing aids. And the droplets could seep inside the electronic components of some hearing aids and cause damage, Fabry explains.

The fix: Hearing aids have gotten more moisture resistant.¹ But it’s still a good idea to prevent them from being exposed to long-term moisture whenever possible, says Fabry. So do the following, he suggests:

• Talk to your hearing care professional about your lifestyle. Do you spend a lot of time outdoors or live in a place that gets very cold in winter? Ask your hearing care professional how moisture-resistant or waterproof your hearing aids are. 
   
• Get a dry aid kit. Dry aid kits are also known as drying boxes or dehumidifiers. “These help dry out the moisture that gathers in electronic devices, including hearing aids,” says Fabry. You can buy these kits online or at a big-box store. Or your hearing care professional may sell them.
  
  When you get the kit, place your hearing aids into the container overnight. Some kits are also rechargeable, so they’ll dry your hearing aids and recharge them at the same time. If not, then put them in the kit after you’ve recharged them. Some of these kits also sanitize the hearing aids.

Winter hazard #2: Your hearing aids fall out

You’re taking your daily walk and yank off your hat when you get too warm. Or you’re horsing around with your grandkids in the snow. Suddenly – oops! – one of your hearing aids goes flying.

Two problems may happen if a hearing aid drops out, says Fabry:

• It lands in the snow. There’s the worry that the hearing aid could be damaged by the moisture.
• It may be nearly impossible to find a tiny hearing aid if it’s dark outside, or it’s buried in the snow.

The fix: “Most modern hearing aids have smartphone connectivity,” says Fabry. Especially useful is a feature called Find My Hearing Aids. “This can be a lifesaver in winter if a device falls out of your ear and into the snow.”

It might save you the time you’d spend hunting for your device. And it may potentially save you money because you won’t need to replace a lost device. Just remember, once you do find your hearing aid, pop it into a dry aid kit so it doesn’t get damaged.

Do you find that your hearing aids often fall out of your ears? It may be time to see your hearing care professional to check the fit. Then they could go over how to put your hearing aids in more securely.

Some models may fall out more easily than others, notes Fabry. So, while you’re with the hearing care professional, have another chat about your lifestyle, habits and winter activities (like skiing). They may help you find the best type of hearing aids for you. 

Through UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost   and a trial period to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.

Winter hazard #3: Shorter battery life

One benefit to rechargeable hearing aids is that you charge them every night so they’re ready for you the next morning.² Plus, there is no need to mess with tiny batteries.

The downside is that rechargeable batteries may suffer from a shorter battery life when exposed to extreme cold, says Fabry. That may cause “range anxiety.” That’s the worry that your hearing aids may not work as long as you need them to.

The fix: First, wear a hat or earmuffs outdoors. Either will help keep the heat from your head from escaping and protect your hearing aids (and their batteries) from the cold, says Fabry. Just be careful taking your hat or earmuffs off so you don’t jostle the devices and knock them out.

Next, talk to your hearing care professional. Battery life can vary between different types of rechargeable hearing aids, says Fabry. If you’re concerned your hearing aid batteries need to be charged often, discuss your options with your hearing care professional, he suggests.

Winter hazard for everyone: Loud noises that may damage hearing

Some very noisy winter activities, like snowmobiling or using a snowblower, could be bad for your hearing.³ That’s true for everybody, including hearing-aid wearers.³ So it’s important to protect your hearing from further damage.

The fix: “You should be thinking of protecting your hearing rather than amplifying it over the machine and wind noise,” says Fabry. To do that, keep your hearing aid volume low when you do these activities. Or, better yet, remove your hearing aids and block the loud sounds by using earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing, Fabry suggests.

If you’re not sure which activities are too loud, download a sound level app on your smartphone. These apps can tell if the noise level is dangerous for your ears. If it is, protect your hearing.

These solutions may save you the headaches of drained batteries and more. And help you enjoy the cold winter weather for as long as it lasts.

Sources

1. How to choose a hearing aid: types and styles National Council on Aging. Accessed November 20, 2024.
2. Frequently asked questions about hearing aids Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed November 20, 2024.
3. Loud noise dangers American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed November 20, 2024.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.