Heat is not your hearing aid’s friend and can do some serious damage if you’re not following proper maintenance procedures.

Don’t: Leave your hearing aids in direct sunlight or in extreme heat, like inside your car.

Do: Store your hearing aid and hearing aid batteries in a cool, dry place. Excessive heat can damage the delicate elements of your aid, shortening its life. This damage is caused not only by the heat itself, but by the moisture that can develop inside the hearing aid as it endures severe temperature changes, like going from a cool, air-conditioned living room to the balmy heat of the backyard. The outer casing is made of plastic, and can melt in high temps.

Don’t: Allow bacteria or fungi to grow on your hearing aid. Keep disinfectant towelettes handy to clean your hearing aids regularly. The hot, humid weather is ideal for germs, bacteria and fungi to grow and thrive,.

Don’t: Wear water-resistant hearing aids in the water.

Do: Your hearing aid won’t be able to withstand water unless it is a proper waterproof hearing aid. Water-resistant hearing aids and hearing aid accessories are available, but only help protect against minor water intrusions like splashes, rain, or moisture accumulation.

Don’t: Ruin your vacation by forgetting one of your hearing aid accessories.

Do: Pack back-up supplies, like batteries and tubes. Make a checklist .

Don’t: Take your hearing aid out or turn it off while going through airport security or while in flight.

Do: Keep them on for important safety and security instructions from airport officials. Some hearing aids can set off airport security scanners, but you can alert the officials to your hearing aid ahead of time verbally, or by downloading an official TSA Notification Card that provides you with a little discretion in communicating your disability to security officials. Your hearing aid is also exempt from the no-electronic-devices policy on board the plane, so you are free to enjoy that in-flight movie.