Do you wear hearing aids? Here are 5 tips to help you protect them this summer
[ 3 min read]
In this article:
- Summer travel and getaways can be fun and relaxing. For those who use hearing aids, it's essential to have the devices in good working order.
- A Swedish audiology expert offers advice on preparing our hearing aids for travel and some solutions if we have a mishap with them.
- Taking good care of your hearing aids at home is the best way to prepare them for travel.
Summer is here and with it, travel and time outdoors. For those of us who rely on medical devices like hearing aids, there are some extra preparations we need to make to keep our accessories in good working order. Swedish Audiologist Sanghmitra Arvindekar has advice for preparing and protecting our hearing aids during our summer getaways and outdoor activities.
- Understand your hearing aids. Know your hearing aids! You may be new to hearing aids or have used them for years, knowing your devices is important. Understanding how they work helps you prepare for travel and troubleshoot on the go.
- Prepare your hearing aids (and yourself) for travel. No matter if it’s relaxing week at the beach or a multi-city family trip, hearing aids can get lost. There are certain steps you can take to ensure that you find your devices if you lose them. If you have Bluetooth compatible devices and a smartphone, you can use your hearing aid app to help find your hearing aids if you misplace them. If you don’t use an app with your hearing aids, you can use location tags on the devices or their case to help you find them if they go missing.
- Make a travel kit. Be sure to have everything you need when you’re on the go so you don’t have to spend time trying to find supplies while you’re away from home. Be sure to include a charger, extra batteries, cleaning brush, domes and wax traps. Ask your audiologists for any extra supplies that you may need.
- Have a Dri-Aid Jar with you. Vacations at the beach or the pool can be very relaxing, but accidents happen. I’ve seen lots of patients who have jumped into a pool only to realize they were still wearing their hearing aids! Keep a Dri-Aid jar with you in case your hearing aids get wet. If you have battery operated hearing aids, take the batteries out and put the hearing aid in the Dri-Aid jar for a few hours. If you have rechargeable hearing aids, just pop them in the jar as is. If you don’t have your Dri-Aid jar, don’t worry. You can also try putting your affected hearing aid in bag of dry, uncooked rice for a few hours. This will get the moisture out of the hearing aids faster.
- Keep your hearing aids in good shape. Taking good care of your hearing aids at home is one of the best ways to get them ready for travel. Be sure to get your hearing aids professionally cleaned and keep up with any maintenance they may require. If you have questions about how to do this or what they need, talk to your audiologist.
__
Learn more and find a provider
Think you may be experiencing some hearing loss? See a Swedish audiologist for an evaluation if your hearing has changed. If you are exposed to loud noise regularly, get an annual hearing checkup. Learn about hearing services at Swedish or call 1-800-793-3474 for an appointment.
Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instructions and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.
Additional resources
What to know about over-the-counter hearing aids
Listen up! October is National Protect Your Hearing Month
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.