How To Stay Active Without Damaging Your Hearing Aids

Doctors recommend that the average adult exercise regularly and get at least 75 minutes of vigorous cardio or 150 minutes of moderate cardio workouts weekly. However, if you wear hearing aids, you may be worried about damaging them while you exercise.

Many patients with hearing devices consider removing them while being active. However, it isn’t always a great option. Indeed, your hearing aids are instrumental to your safety whether you are at the gym or running on the streets. They ensure you can hear your surroundings and adapt adequately, whether it is traffic, instructions from your teammates or the people around you. Besides, your hearing aids can also let you listen to your favorite music while working out, which can make staying active more enjoyable.

Wearing your hearing instruments when you are exercising can be tricky. We’re reviewing here some of the best tactics to keep your hearing aids safe when active.

Have an Audiologist Fit Your Hearing Aids

A proper hearing aid fitting serves multiple purposes. First of all, it ensures your devices are comfortable to wear. An improper fitting can lead to ear pain and sound quality disturbances. More importantly, when you’re being active, properly fitted hearing aids stay in place. Damage is more likely to occur if the hearing aid falls out and lands on the floor, where the impact alone can be enough to break it.

We recommend talking about your active lifestyle with your audiologist. Indeed, they can help you choose instruments that are designed with active users in mind.

Some hearing aid designs are best suited to physical activities. For example, in-the-canal (ITC) and in-the-ear (ITE) devices are no external components. As a result, they are less likely to be damaged in the event of a fall or high impact. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing instruments are exposed as their components sit outside the ear. This can make them a risk for sports activities.

Use Hearing-Aid-Friendly Sports Equipment

Nowadays, many sports manufacturers design their products with hearing-aid-friendly features. They may not be described as such, but you want to consider features that will keep your hearing aids safe:

• Sturdy design for helmets and other head protective gear that sits above the ears.
• Quick-drying or moisture-wicking materials for hoods and headbands. High moisture levels from sweat can lead to damage.
• Stay-in-place design so you can be sure it stays over your ears even when you are active.
• Protective without being restrictive, as you don’t want the protection to apply unnecessary pressure on your ear and hearing devices.
• Washable. Dirt and grime on the inside of your protective gear could lead to ear infections, making wearing hearing devices unpleasant. Grime could also reach inside your hearing aids and affect their functions.

Some of the best sports equipment for hearing devices users include:

• Absorbent sweatbands to remove perspiration.
• Skull cap for protection and cooling features.
• Headband to fit around your ears for protection and moisture removal.

Invest in a Clip

You can find aftermarket clips to hold your hearing aids in position. They will ensure the devices stay in your ears even during physical activities. Typically clips can be worn at the back of the neck or directly to the ear. They can even add a protective layer to the hearing devices.

Maintain Your Hearing Aids When You’re Active

Even water-resistant hearing devices can be sensitive to sweat. The reason for this is that sweat is not the same as water. Sweat contains sodium, which can increase corrosion risks. So, it is essential to protect your hearing aids from sweat-related damage.

We recommend different techniques to ensure you can remove excess moisture from your devices after exercising. It is worth investing in a hearing aid dehumidifier that can tackle droplets trapped inside the device. If your hearing aids use replaceable batteries, make sure to keep the battery door open inside the dry box. You can place your devices inside the dehumidifier overnight and take them out the next morning, fully dry and sanitized.

You can also blow air through the hearing device using a puffer. Puffers are highly effective in removing small obstructions, such as grit or sweat droplets that found their way into your hearing aids. You can also wipe your hearing aids clean with antimicrobial wipes after exercising. The process will remove external buildups, such as toxins carried out in the sweat.

A good maintenance routine can significantly prolong the use of your hearing aids.

Find the Best Hearing Aids for Your Active Lifestyle

Wearing hearing aids doesn’t prevent you from being active. If you are concerned about finding the right hearing devices to suit your sports routine, we recommend getting in touch with an audiologist. Our team at Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids is here to help you live your best life with hearing devices. Call us today at (914) 610-3440 to book an appointment.