Hearing aids are vital devices that keep you engaged in the dynamic world around you. As such, they should not slow you down, but enable you to be at the top of your game. If you enjoy an active lifestyle or physical hobbies, you may be wondering if hearing aids are compatible with your recreational activities. We’re here to tell you that they are!
How Hearing Aids Enhance Your Active Lifestyle
In many active hobbies, hearing is paramount. You need to be able to hear your teammates calling to you from across the court or listen to the birds singing on the hiking trail. You also need to maintain a good awareness of your environment for your safety. With these in mind, your hearing aids will allow you to enjoy your favorite activities like never before.
How to Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe During Recreational Activities
Even though they have myriad benefits to your active lifestyle, hearing aids are not invulnerable, and you may need to take some extra precautions to keep them safe while you’re on the go. Here are some considerations.
Physical Damage
Worrying about your hearing aids falling out is valid. High-impact movements, like jogging or jumping, can potentially dislodge your hearing aids from your ears. This can be a nuisance, but it’s also completely manageable. You can use tools to prevent your hearing aids from falling out, such as a sweatband over your ears or a hearing aid lanyard.
The good news is that hearing aids are constantly evolving. Gone are the days of bulky, heavy hearing aids. Modern designs are sleek and discreet, and many are customized to fit your ears. Ask your audiologist about hearing aid styles, custom earmolds and domes and other ways to enhance the design and structure of your devices to make sure they stay safe and secure.
Moisture
You probably already know that moisture can pose a significant risk to your hearing aids. With that in mind, you need to keep an eye on sweat. Sweat may drip down your temples into your ears, and the inside of your ears can also get sweaty if you’re really working up a sweat. Wearing a sweatband can protect your hearing aids from perspiration. You should also consider using a hearing aid dehumidifier or an electric dryer after a good workout.
You can also look into water-resistant hearing aids. Hearing aid designs are more durable than ever before, and manufacturers are continually improving the technology. Check out the latest models of hearing aids, and in particular, pay attention to the IP rating to get an idea of how well the devices can withstand water exposure.
Smart Features of Modern Hearing Aids
Modern hearing devices don’t just help you hear better; they also come with a suite of high-tech features that can enhance your daily life, including your active hobbies. Many hearing aids come with an app, which can turn your phone into a remote control for your hearing aids. This allows you to quickly and easily adjust settings on the fly without reaching up to fiddle with the earpiece.
Many modern hearing aids also come with Bluetooth® technology, which allows you to connect your hearing aids to any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Stream music straight to your hearing aids during a workout or communicate hands-free.
Finally, some modern hearing aids feature health and fitness tracking, which can count your steps, monitor your heart rate, track your miles run and track the time spent doing something active. If you’re interested in discussing any of these features in greater detail, or if you have any further questions on how your hearing aids interact with your active lifestyle, talk to our experts at Audiology Associates of Redding.