With people (adults and children) being constantly exposed to loud noises on roads, at home and in gaming centers, hearing loss is becoming common now-a-days. As per WHO estimates in India, there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment; this places the estimated prevalence at 6.3% in Indian population.
ASDReports, premium market research organization had published the report Hearing Aid Market in India, 2020-2026. The report stated that India’s hearing aid market size was valued at $332.99 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $454.98 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 4.56% from 2020 to 2026. The report offers a breakdown of market shares by product, including In The Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid, Completely in The Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid, In The Canal (ITC) Hearing Aid, Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid.
Source: asdreports
It is the hearing aid which serves as a saving grace for all those who are either already inside the world of silence or those who are just stepping into it. With newer models of hearing aids flooding the market, this defect can no longer be considered as a factor that will hamper any enjoyment in life.
Summer is a great time for all and especially for those hard of hearing, to be spent outdoors. It offers an opportunity to enjoy activities like concerts and festivals. It is a great time to indulge in outdoor activities like a barbeque. If you are hard of hearing, the conspicuous hearing aid helps us to indulge in these activities better and turn it more enjoyable as it enhances the ability to hear and enjoy the company of people around you.
When you involve yourself in such activities, there is bound to be lot of extraneous noise which is harmful to the ears. In such cases we must seek machines or hearing aids with noise-cancelling features or custom earplugs that will protect your ears from high decibel sounds.
But, you should keep the sound receiving level in the hearing aid in such a way that you are not left out of the normal activities going on around you. Summer is a great time to travel, therefore you should be able to hear the announcements at the airports and railway stations to enable you board or get off the vehicles. It will help you to listen to the sounds of nature and converse with people of your choice as you travel or on the move.
Socializing with a hearing aid
Socializing is a main aspect of using hearing aids. Without it, you cannot stay connected or improve communications with people or even enjoy what you see in the world. Socializing takes a good new turn in summer. Though, it is fun time, all of us are forced to take the extra mile to protect ourselves from the searing heat of summer. Year after year we feel that the heat bears on us a lot. We try various ways and means to combat it to make us feel comfortable. We have to change the way we dress, we eat and maintain the everyday gizmos too. These devices (hearing aids) too have to be protected from humidity and heat.
Summer maintenance
If we are using a hearing aid, we should take steps to protect and maintain it during summer. If the heat is more, these devices do need a little extra care to keep them going strong. The hearing aids are easily affected by sweat and humidity and the moisture that occurs due to these factors harms the microphones and receivers. It also clogs the tubing and corrodes away the batteries fitted in the hearing aid. Since all these happen when you work or stand in the sun, it is best to plan all your activities when the weather is a bit cooler. A hearing aid fabric sleeve is a must as it will soak up the sweat immediately and not allow it to reach your hearing aids. You can also wear a sweatband, if needed.
Be prepared for summer rains. Never allow your hearing aids to get drenched. If you want to go for swimming classes, then hearing aids are not your cup of tea. Keep them away. If need be, keep your hearing aids in a dehumidifier safely, to remove any moisture.
When it comes to storage, you have to be sure to store them in a cool, dry place and should not be kept under direct sunlight. It is because sunlight will heat up the hearing aids and cause irreversible damage.
Two daily use sprays _ sunscreen and bug spray can cause damage to your hearing aid’s microphone. The content of the spray can seep into your battery compartment. Therefore, you should keep in mind that if you are using hearing aids, you must never use these sprays or if you want to use them, be sure to remove the hearing aids and wear them only after your skin is dry. Also, be sure to wash your hands whenever you use any spray or insect repellents.
The beach is the most-sought after place in summer. But, it can prove to be the most dangerous one if you are wearing a hearing aid. Grains of sand can get into the machine because of the wind or if you touch your ears with sandy hands. It is very important to leave the machine at home, if you want to play on the beach or swim in the sea.
Not only sandy hands but if you happen to be exposed to pollen, mold or other allergens too the same problem can arise. These microscopic allergens can clog and damage the delicate machine.
Cleaning measures:
Wipe the hearing aids with a dust-free cloth
Wipe it every night to remove dust and dirt before you retire to bed
Air the battery compartment overnight
Mainly keep the batteries and the hearing aids out of reach of children.
Check the battery life of your hearing aids regularly as high temperatures can drain them fast.
Healthcare provider visit
When the sun is high in the sky, let your spirits rise and motivate you to complete the pending visit to your health care provider. Have a check-up scheduled with the ear specialist and check on your hearing aids too. Find out if your machine is humming at its best and if not set it right for you to enjoy life to the fullest.