Playing sports while wearing hearing aids

People who wear hearing aids often feel intimidated about participating in individual or team sports. They often cite fear of losing or breaking their devices as reasons for sitting on the sidelines. The good news is today’s hearing aids are more durable and secure than ever before. Therefore, people with hearing loss shouldn’t let their concerns keep them from keeping fit and having fun. Using hearing aids can make exercising a safer, more enjoyable experience. Here are some things to know about wearing hearing aids during sports and exercise.

Benefits of hearing aids for athletes

Here are three major advantages of playing sports and exercising with hearing aids.

1. Increased safety. The most crucial benefit to wearing your hearing aids while exercising is personal safety. For example, it’s crucial to hear approaching vehicles when you’re jogging or when a golf ball may be headed your way while putting on the ninth green. When you hear better, you’re more aware of your surroundings and are less likely to be injured.

2. Better communication. While playing team sports such as hockey, softball or ultimate frisbee, it’s vital to communicate with your teammates. Hearing those around you helps you be a better player and improve your performance. Your workouts and communication with fellow gym-mates will become more social and more enjoyable with hearing aid use
3. Modern hearing aids have wireless media streaming technology that allows you to connect to your smartphone while working out and listen to your favourite tunes, hear notifications on your phone or talk with a friend. Remember to keep safety in mind and don’t have the volume so loud that you can’t hear your surroundings.

How to exercise while wearing hearing aids

When you play sports or exercise while wearing hearing aids, you need to take precautions to avoid damaging or wearing out your device. Here are some tips for those participating in sports or exercising.

• Minimize moisture. Sweat, rain and condensation can damage the electronics inside your hearing aid. Moisture also promotes the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. Hearing aids are typically water and moisture resistant, however, they are not waterproof. Therefore, it’s a good idea to wear a headband and use hearing aid sweat covers or pouches to minimize moisture exposure
• Keep your hearing aids secure. Hearing aids can fall out, get lost or be crushed underfoot when playing contact sports such as hockey or football, or other activities such as running, yoga, pilates, etc. It’s best to wear a tight-fitting cap or headband over your ears to prevent your device from falling out. You can also purchase lanyards or clips that help to prevent you from losing lost hearing aids if they do come loose. Look for helmets or headgear that accommodate hearing aids.
• Develop a post-exercise routine. After the game is over or your workout is done, wipe your hearing aids thoroughly to make sure they’re dry and dust-free. Remove the batteries at night and leave the battery compartment open to allow it to dry. You can additionally put your hearing aids inside a special dehumidifying kit to remove condensation and make your device last longer.

Moreover, your hearing aids can be cleaned every two to three days using an alcohol swab to help disinfect the hearing aids.

The best hearing aids for sports

At Soundwave Hearing Care, we carry many types of hearing aids that are suitable for people who are active and play sports. Here’s an overview of some of the products we carry.

• Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are well-suited for low-impact activities such as walking. , ReSound and Phonak are industry-leading brands that have some high-quality rechargeable models.
• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are perfect for jogging or activities where you may need to remove a helmet or face mask. These hearing aids are custom-made to your ear, and Starkey is an industry-leading brand for rechargeable ITC hearing aids.
• Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are great for intense running or high-impact exercises. Resound and Starkey are reliable choices for CIC hearing aids.
• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are ideal for low-impact, gentle indoor activities such as yoga. Phonak, ReSound and Starkey are all suitable brands for BTE hearing aids.
• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are suitable for indoor sports and activities.
• Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aids are good for most activities because they’re tiny and fit snugly inside the ear canal close to the eardrum.

Hearing aids for sports in Calgary, Grande Prairie, High River and Lethbridge

At Soundwave Hearing Care, we’re an authorized supplier of Starkey, Phonak and Resound hearing aids, and our team can fit you with a device best suited for you to continue to play sports and stay active, and allow you to maintain effective communication. We’re 100% independent, 100% Canadian and 100% audiologist-owned. Contact us to schedule an appointment with an audiologist at one of our clinics in Calgary, Lethbridge, High River and Grande Prairie.