We often get asked by our patients if they should take their hearing aids out to exercise or play their favorite sport. And although todays’ hearing aids are made to fit your lifestyle, which includes sports and exercise too.
And although these devices are resilient, you should consider a few things when exercising or playing sports.
Going to the gym with hearing aids
There’s no reason you can’t wear your hearing aids to the gym. One of the main reasons for wearing them is the increased ability to communicate. Talking to your gym buddy, catching up with people you see day in and day, or listening to your fitness instructor more easily despite background noise.
Bring your music with you. One thing that will help power you through a strenuous workout is listening to your favorite music while you train. With many of today’s hearing aids offering wireless connectivity to your phone via Bluetooth Technology, you can stream the music directly through your hearing aids.
Not everyone wants to go to the gym to sweat. Many enjoy outdoor activities to move and stay healthy. Wearing your hearing aids while outside running will allow you to hear what’s happening around you. Being aware of traffic, emergency vehicles, or other hazardous sounds around you contributes to your personal safety. If you’re still not convinced, read this article on how this cyclist avoided bike accidents by wearing his hearing aids.
Hearing hazards at the gym
Suppose a lively gym is your favorite place. In that case, it’s crucial that you also keep in mind some of the hazards that can go along with it— heavy exertion paired with loud music can lead to hearing loss or tinnitus. While it’s an unusual cause of hearing loss, it’s also not unheard of.⠀
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts while at the gym
DO’S AND DON’TS⠀:
- DON’T hold your breath
- DO Keep headphones at a reasonable volume
- DO Reduce the weight you’re lifting if you’re straining
Make sure you talk to your hearing care provider about how you can balance your hearing loss with hearing hazards. Many audiologists can create custom hearing aid settings for the listening environment at the gym and your specific needs.
Benefits of exercise on hearing
Aside from the well-known benefits of exercise such as cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, increased energy and mood. Studies have shown significant benefits on hearing when exercise is a part of your regular routine
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the ratio of your weight in kilograms and height in meters that determine how much fat you are carrying on your body. Suppose your BMI is equal to or greater than 25. In that case, it’s considered overweight, you are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss.
Exercising regularly has been shown to provide preventive benefits to your heart and kidneys. Regular exercise also helps lower the risk of other diseases that lead to an increased risk of hearing loss. Diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and other blood vessel-related disorders.
John Hopkins University recently studied hearing loss and exercise and found that regular exercise (25 minutes of activity a day) can prevent hearing loss! Seniors who were active around 3 hours a week had far lower rates of hearing loss than seniors who didn’t exercise at all.
If you have questions on how you can get the most out of your hearing aids while exercising, give Salem Audiology Clinic a call. 971.701.6322 and schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained professional Audiologists Today.
Work Cited: “Tips for Exercising with hearing aids” – healthyhearing.com