How Rechargeable Hearing Aids Handle Hot Weather

Your phone warns you when it gets too hot. It dims the screen, slows itself down and sometimes shuts off entirely until it cools back down.

Rechargeable hearing aids use the same type of lithium-ion battery technology, but they don’t have a warning screen. That leaves you wondering what’s happening inside your devices on a genuinely hot day.

You may think about it after leaving them in a hot car or spending a long afternoon outside in the summer.

Heat affects batteries in ways you may not see right away, and rechargeable devices are no exception. How you store, charge and carry them during hot weather can affect how they perform from day to day.

Heat can also affect how the battery holds up with continued use. Knowing what happens inside the battery gives you a better idea of what temperatures your devices can handle.

How Rechargeable Hearing Aids Function Day to Day

Once you put them on in the morning, rechargeable hearing aids are doing several jobs at the same time. The microphones pick up sound, the processor sorts through it and the receiver sends the adjusted sound into your ear.

Bluetooth streaming and other wireless functions also draw from the same battery. Because all of that happens continuously, the amount of power used can change depending on how you spend the day.

You may use very little extra power during a quiet morning, then use more while streaming calls or audio later on.

The battery level drops gradually as those functions run. Most models give you an alert before the charge gets too low, so you know when power is running short.

At the end of the day, the devices return to the charger and begin the cycle again for the next morning.

Why Hot Weather Poses Challenges for Electronic Devices

Electronic devices already warm up while they’re running. On a hot day, the temperature inside them can climb higher because the surrounding air is warm too.

That changes how electrical components behave and can speed up chemical reactions inside lithium-ion batteries. Plastic parts, seals and adhesives can also soften or wear faster when they’re exposed to high temperatures again and again.

Where you leave a device can create more heat than the weather forecast suggests. The inside of a parked car can become much hotter than the air outside, even when you’re only gone for a short time.

Direct sunlight can raise the temperature of a device quickly as well. That difference matters because electronics are designed to operate within a certain temperature range, not at every temperature they might encounter during summer.

Safe Temperature Guidelines for Using and Storing Your Devices

Manufacturers set temperature ranges for using, charging and storing rechargeable devices. The exact numbers vary by model, so the limits in your user guide are the ones to follow.

Charging may have its own temperature range because the battery produces heat while it takes in power. If a device becomes unusually warm, let it return to room temperature before placing it on the charger.

Storage temperatures can be different from the limits for daily use. A case left inside a parked car can get much hotter than the outdoor temperature, while direct sunlight can heat the devices quickly.

At home, keep them somewhere dry and away from windows, heaters or other sources of heat. When you’re traveling, bringing the case indoors with you keeps the devices out of the extreme temperatures that can develop inside a vehicle.

Protective Features Found in Today’s Rechargeable Hearing Aids

Newer hearing aids have newer protective features. The protection starts with a small circuit that manages what happens while the battery charges and discharges. Temperature sensors can detect when the battery gets too warm or cold for charging.

The system can then pause charging instead of continuing under conditions that could damage the battery. It also tracks voltage as the battery fills, so power is reduced or stopped once the battery reaches its charging limit.

The battery is protected physically too. Rechargeable cells are sealed inside the device, which keeps you from handling or exposing the battery during normal use.

The outer casing and seals limit how much sweat and moisture can reach the electronics.

Some models also shut down when internal conditions move outside their operating limits. These protections handle problems inside the device, but they don’t change the temperature limits set for the model.

Advice for Wearing Hearing Aids During Activities Outdoors

Wearing your devices outdoors can expose them to heat, sunlight, sweat and changing weather. Before heading outside, a few precautions are worth keeping in mind:

• • Wear a brimmed hat to provide shade.
  • Wipe away sweat with a soft, dry cloth.
  • Keep the carrying case with you.
  • Take cover if you’re caught in heavy rain.
  • Don’t leave devices sitting in direct sunlight.
  • Let them cool to room temperature before charging.

Best Practices for Storing Your Hearing Aids in Hot Conditions

Avoid windowsills, dashboards, garages and other places that trap or reflect heat. If you are traveling, bring them into the hotel, house or office with you instead of leaving them in a parked car.

At home, choose a dry spot away from direct sun, heaters and humid rooms. If the devices feel hot when you pick them up, let them return to room temperature before using or charging them.

Cleaning and Drying Steps to Avoid Moisture Issues

After a humid or sweaty day, wipe the outside of your devices with a soft, dry cloth. Check the microphone openings, receiver and charging contacts for any moisture that remains.

Removable domes or earmolds can be cleaned according to the instructions for your model. Let those pieces dry completely before putting them back on.

A hearing aid dryer or approved dehumidifier can remove moisture that a cloth can’t reach. Skip hair dryers, heaters and direct sunlight because they introduce heat while you’re trying to dry the devices.

What To do if Your Rechargeable Hearing Aid Gets Too Hot

A device that becomes hot without sitting in direct sun or another hot location deserves more attention. Warmth during charging can be normal, but it shouldn’t become uncomfortable to touch.

Unexpected heat may point to a problem with the battery, charger or charging contacts. Disconnect the charger and check the contacts for dirt, moisture or damage.

Don’t open the casing or try to reach the rechargeable battery yourself. If the device repeatedly heats up during normal charging or wear, stop using it and bring both the device and charger to your hearing professional.

Having both pieces checked can show whether the problem is coming from the battery or the equipment supplying power.

Knowing When to Contact a Hearing Professional About Device Issues

Some device problems are easy to spot, while others show up as changes in how the devices work. If the same issue keeps returning after basic cleaning or charging, it may need more than a fix at home.

Contact a hearing professional when you notice:

• • Battery drains faster than usual: A sudden drop in battery life may mean the rechargeable cell isn’t holding the same amount of power.
  • Devices shut off unexpectedly: Repeated shutdowns can point to a battery, charging or internal problem that needs to be checked.
  • Charging takes much longer: A device that suddenly needs extra time to reach a full charge may need service.
  • Charging stops before completion: If the battery repeatedly stops short of a full charge, bring the device and charger to your appointment.
  • Sound cuts in and out: Intermittent sound that continues after cleaning may come from a component that needs professional attention.

Keeping Your Rechargeable Hearing Aids Working Well in Hot Weather

After spending time outside, give them a chance to return to room temperature before putting them on the charger. None of these changes require much extra work once you know what to avoid.

Your devices are made for regular use in a range of conditions. The main concern is avoiding extreme temperatures that put unnecessary strain on the battery and other electronic parts.

If you’ve noticed a change in how your rechargeable devices are performing, we can find out what’s going on. At Life Hearing & Tinnitus Health Centers, we can test your devices and check the battery, charger and other components.

We’ll also explain what we find and whether anything needs attention. You can visit or call any of our hearing clinics in Fort Myers, Marco Island or Naples, Florida, as well as Rockford, Illinois. Call us at (888) 264-6164 to schedule a visit at the location that works best for you.