There is a seemingly endless list of ways to stay physically active, from hiking and biking to taking a tai chi or yoga class. The World Health Organization recommends that adults aged 18-64 years engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, in addition to regular muscle-strengthening activities each week. When you’re designing your fitness routine to hit those numbers, don’t forget one important factor: protecting your hearing aids.
How Can Workouts Damage My Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are small but technologically advanced devices that amplify things like instruction in your Yoga Box class or the soft patter of your feet on the asphalt during your run. Protecting your hearing aids from damage during your workouts is an essential step in continuing to enjoy these sounds. A few things that can damage your devices during a workout include:
- Dropping and breaking your devices. Although hearing aids are built to stay securely in place, they can still fall out during certain movements, especially upside‑down yoga poses or high‑impact workouts.
- Water exposure. Activities such as kayaking or swimming can expose your hearing aids to moisture, increasing the risk of water damage.
- Loss. While losing your devices isn’t technically “damage,” it’s still a concern during active or outdoor workouts, where they can be easily misplaced. You need to be especially careful doing things, like biking or rollerblading, where it’s easy to leave your devices behind.
Damaging or losing your hearing aids is no way to end a workout. Let’s look at a few ways to protect your devices without sacrificing your active lifestyle.
Three Ways To Protect Your Hearing Aids
Take the following steps to protect your hearing aids during your next workout:
- Wear a headband. A headband is an inexpensive way to secure your devices to your head. Grab a loose headband that covers your ears and devices without squashing them against your head.
- Grab hearing aid clips. Hearing aid clips are another great option to prevent loss or damage. The special clips attach your devices to your shirt or a lanyard, securing them in case they fall out during a run or high-intensity workout.
- Remove your hearing aids before water sports. If you’re planning to swim laps, remove your hearing aids and place them in their case away from the pool. Dry your ears off completely before reinserting your devices. You can wear your hearing aids during things like kayaking or canoeing, but remember to secure them with a headband or clips. If you’re prone to falling in the water, you might want to leave your devices on dry land.
To learn more about caring for your devices or to schedule a hearing aid repair & service appointment, contact Advantage ENT & Audiology today.