Whilst most people try to work out and keep fit all year round, the longer days and warmer weather mean that a growing number of people take advantage and head out to find a good place to exercise.
However, for people who have taken audiology tests and had a hearing aid fitted, this can be slightly trickier than one might expect.
Hearing aids are often quite sensitive pieces of equipment and people who require them when out and about may quite naturally be reluctant to try an intensive workout that could potentially cause it to fall out or be damaged.
However, there are ways to protect yourself, your hearing and your hearing aid whilst cycling, running, or even swimming.
Have A Spare Set
Try to avoid using custom-made removable hearing aids that could potentially fall out, as they can be complicated and difficult to replace if they do get damaged.
Instead, consider using a spare consumer-grade hearing aid that whilst not as effective for hearing is more likely to survive heavy exercise and less expensive to replace if anything goes wrong.
If you are uncertain about what types of hearing aids may work best for you as spares, consult your audiologist for some suggestions and advice.
Perspiration Is The Biggest Threat
Whilst most hearing aids have a small degree of water resistance, sweat and perspiration can be a problem for a lot of reasons, particularly as they can cause dirt and grime to coat the device and potentially make it less effective.
Instead, try to use some kind of hearing aid cover or a sweatband to protect the surface of the hearing aid that presses against your head, as the scalp is a common place where heat and by extension sweat dissipates.
This can be really important if doing a lot of cardio exercise, where the entire point is to build up a sweat, as well as if you have, for example, long hair or are exercising on a warm day where you may be more likely to sweat regardless.
Use A Swimming Set
Because of how a hearing aid works, it is very difficult to make a truly waterproof hearing aid and at present none exist on the market, but there are some options that can be used for swimming.
These devices have a seal that allows them to be used for longer periods of time underwater, although one must always be mindful of water pressure even then.
If you plan on swimming a lot, ask your doctor about potential options or if it will affect more substantial devices such as cochlear implants.
If in doubt, remove your hearing aid whilst you are swimming, bathing or in the shower.
Use A Desiccant Jar
Even if you are not doing any kind of water exercise, it is probably a good idea to clean off your hearing aid at the end of the day and use a drying system such as a desiccant jar to remove excess moisture.
Use a damp cloth or soft brush tool to remove any debris, and use a wax pick to clean around the microphone and receiver before going to bed.
