Time to dig out of your or your child’s closet the warm sweaters, winter coat, rain jackets, and snow boots.
As you prepare for the winter months ahead, you may also want to consider how to protect hearing device(s) as you venture outside into the cold.
Just like during the summer months, you should consider the different outside environments you or your child will wear the device(s) and plan accordingly on how best to keep them safe and working well while enjoying the cold outside!
Some tips we have include:
- Hats: When wearing a winter hat, consider the placement of the hearing device and make sure you or your child can hear well with the hat on. Verify the hat does not put additional pressure on the device or move the device around as a hat is worn. You want the device to be securely in place so that it doesn’t fall off. Confirm that you or your child can still respond auditorily to voices at different distances. This will ensure that one can hear outside too.
Consider using wireless accessories: If you or your child spends time skiing, snowboarding or sledding, consider using wireless accessories, such as the Cochlear True Wireless™ Mini-Microphone 2+ or other FM/Roger equipment, to assist with hearing over distance on the slopes.
- Keep it dry: If your or your child’s device is likely to get wet while playing outside in the cold weather, you may want to consider options available to keep the device dry and protected by using something like a Dry Aid Kit or Cochlear’s Aqua+ for Nucleus® cochlear implants.
- Devices and cold temperatures: Make sure your or your child’s device is not exposed to extremely cold temperatures as this is not good for the electronics. Don’t leave the device outside exposed to the cold elements for long periods of time. If this occurs, turn the device off and allow the device to warm back up to room temperature before turning the device on again.
- Extra protection: Especially good for children with hearing devices and active adults, the use of an earmold or safety/retention lines may be beneficial for added protection while playing outdoors. The earmold and safety lines provide added security for children so that the device remains fastened to the ear or clothing as they venture outside for all of the fun winter activities. Earmolds and retention lines (which are longer than safety lines) are good for adults. If you need to have an earmold made, talk to your audiologist and they can assist you with this task.
Bundle up, go outside and have fun!
For more information on implantable hearing solutions for you or a loved one, click here.
For more resources to assist parents of a child with hearing loss, visit IWantYouToHear.com.
