Wonderful as it may be, did you know that cold weather can affect the performance of your Cochlear™ sound processor? Here are five tips for your sound processor to help you enjoy winter and care for your hearing device.
1. Keep your processor dry
Winter activities like skiing, ice skating and playing in the snow are great fun, but can increase the risk of exposure to water and moisture. While our sound processors have high water protection ratings, repeated exposure to moisture can cause damage over time. If you have a Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7, Kanso® 2 or Osia® 2 Sound Processor, you can keep your processor dry with a Cochlear Aqua+ accessory.123
Another important way to protect and maintain your processor is to use your drying unit every night, which is especially designed to remove moisture (and humidity) from your processor.
2. Avoid long exposure to cold temperatures
While participating in snow sports like skiing and snowboarding with your sound processor is no problem, extremely cold temperatures are not good for the electronics in your device.
If possible, avoid having your processor outside or exposed to the cold elements for long periods. If it is exposed for a long time, try turning your processor off and allowing it to warm back up to room temperature before turning it on again.
3. Wear a hat or headband
Covering your head and ears may help to protect your processor from cold and moisture. If you’re enjoying outdoor activities, protect your ears and prevent water damage to your sound processor by wearing a sweatband. When wearing a winter hat, makes sure the hat isn’t putting pressure on your sound processor.
4. Try using wireless accessories
If your processor is covered by your headband or hat, hearing outdoors may be more challenging. If you’re skiing, snowboarding or sledding, consider using wireless accessories, such as the Cochlear True Wireless™ Mini-Microphone 2+ to help you hear while out on the slopes.
5. Keep your batteries charged
Cold weather can cause your batteries to drain more quickly than usual, so be prepared to change your batteries or recharge them more often. If you’re out and about, make sure you carry spare batteries with you.
Shop now to enjoy winter sports with your Cochlear sound processor and accessories.
- The Kanso 2 Sound Processor is dust and water resistant to level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. The Kanso 2 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is dust and water resistant to level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection rating means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of up to 3 meters (9 feet and 9 inches) for up to 2 hours. The Aqua+ accessory should be used when participating in prolonged water activities.
- The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of 3 meters (9 ft and 9 in) for up to 2 hours. This water protection only applies when you use a Cochlear Standard Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is water-resistant to level IP57 of the International Standard IEC60529 without the Aqua+ accessory for the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor.
- The Cochlear Osia 2 Sound Processor is protected against water to level IP52 of the International Standard IEC60529 and IP57 with the battery compartment removed. The Cochlear Osia 2 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is dust and water resistant to the level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529 when used with LR44 alkaline or nickel metal hydride disposable batteries. This water protection rating means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of up to 3 meters (9 feet and 9 inches) for up to 2 hours.
