The late hockey legend, Gordie Howe, was so impressed by the improved balance, situational awareness, and overall benefits of his hearing aids that he told Helix Hearing Care that “had I known how much they improved my game I would have gotten them years ago.”
The people I work with in and around Emmett, ID, live an active lifestyle that includes sports, recreation in the outdoors, and fitness activities, so there are concerns about hearing aids limiting their sports and activities.
To prevent active people from avoiding hearing aids because they would limit their lifestyle, we want to assure you that you can wear hearing aids while playing sports.
Why You Should Wear Hearing Aids During Sports
Not only can you wear hearing aids during sports, outdoor recreation, and fitness activities, but you also should really wear them for two reasons.
#1 – They help keep you safe. Maintaining your balance when your hearing is limited or distorted makes you less agile and more likely to fall. In addition, hearing is critical when it comes to being aware of your surroundings and picking up warning sounds or in-game signals such as a referee’s whistle.
#2 – They enhance communication. Whether you participate in a team sport, work out with a partner or trainer, or engage in various outdoor recreation with others, your capacity to communicate enhances your performance as well as that of those around you.
Hearing Aids And Hearing Aid Accessories
The good thing about modern hearing aids is that many of them are moisture resistant.
Hence wearing them during intensive activities that make you sweat won’t damage them.
In-The-Ear (ITE) models are best for controlling moisture and fit snugly to avoid falling out and being damaged.
However, various accessories make it possible to avoid moisture and shock damage whether you wear ITE or Behind-The-Ear (BTE) devices such as:
- Headbands and Clips, which help to fasten your device in place to prevent them from falling off while you’re playing.
- Dew Rags and Skull Caps, which are an effective way to cover up your hearing aids and help hold them in place.
- Sweatbands, which are designed to soak up moisture from above your ears. This helps to draw it away from your hearing instrument.
Caring For The Hearing Aids
A key element involved in wearing your hearing aids during sports includes proper care.
Hearing aid care includes preventing the buildup and removal of debris, moisture, and earwax according to the instructions of your hearing aid manufacturer and/or hearing care provider.
Checking your instrument during intermissions or breaks to make sure that they are clean and free of moisture will help ensure their performance while you are competing.
Make sure to include a bulb blower for moisture removal, your cleaning tools, and extra batteries in your game bag.
Adhering to a strict and consistent after-workout care routine will help keep the aids in excellent condition and allow you to recognize minor damage early on so you can prevent it from getting worse.
Dove Hearing Encourages You To Use Your Hearing Aids During Sports
Due to the advantages to your performance during sports, your hearing aids should be considered a major piece of game equipment.
The team at Dove Hearing Center and I live active lifestyles and understand the role it plays in the quality of life we lead in Oregon and Idaho, so we encourage our patients to do all that is necessary to ensure that they wear and get the most benefit out of their hearing aids while engaged in sports, outdoor recreation, and fitness activities.
Contact us for more information about the right hearing instrument for an active lifestyle, as well as accessories and tips for protecting your hearing device from damage during sporting activities.
