Staying active is important, whether you’re biking around town, running through Sandy Bottom Nature Park, practicing yoga or hitting the gym. If you love working out but are concerned about how your new hearing aids will hold up during all that movement, you’re not alone. Let’s explore some common challenges hearing aids face during exercise and share simple tips to keep them safe without changing your fitness routine.
How Can Exercise Impact Hearing Aids?
There are two main ways hearing aids can incur damage during exercise:
- Water damage. Excess sweat and moisture during exercise can seep into your device and cause malfunctioning.
- Loss or damage. Jumping around at the gym or hanging your head upside down during yoga can cause your devices to fall out—increasing the likelihood of loss or damage.
While these areas may seem worrisome, they don’t have to stop you from enjoying your favorite exercise.
How To Keep Your Hearing Aids Safe During Exercise
With a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy clear hearing during every part of your workout:
- Wear a headband. A headband or sweatband can help keep excess sweat from dripping into your ears and damaging your hearing aids. They also have the added benefit of holding your hearing aids in your ears to prevent loss!
- Use a clip or lanyard. A clip or lanyard can attach hearing aids to your clothing to prevent loss or damage during vigorous workouts.
- Select the right hearing aid. A well-fitted hearing aid is less likely to fall out of your ears during exercise. If your hearing aids frequently dislodge from your ears, contact your hearing specialist to check the fit and review your options.
- Wipe sweat regularly. If you’re sweating excessively, wipe your face and around your ears with a dry towel. Change sweatbands regularly if they become too damp.
- Take out your devices when swimming. If swimming is your preferred form of exercise, remove your hearing aids before jumping in the pool and wait until your ears and hair are dry before putting them back in.
Caring for Your Hearing Aids After Exercise
After you finish exercising, wipe your hearing aids down with a soft cloth and use a specialty wax pick to remove any wax or dirt.
For many of the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss, hearing aids are an essential part of daily life. With a few simple precautions, they can be an essential part of your fitness routine. To learn more about caring for your devices, contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.