Staying active is a crucial part of staying healthy. Current recommendations are that adults over the age of 18 should get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity.
Some people like taking yoga classes or regular walks through Golden Gate Park Loop or other San Francisco trails. Maybe for you, sports are one of the ways you enjoy staying active.
If you have hearing loss, you might be wondering if you can still play sports safely with your hearing aids. The good news? Not only can you, but you absolutely should also!
Benefits of Wearing Your Hearing Aids When Playing Sports 
Hearing aids can help you in a variety of different ways when you’re playing sports, including:
- Improving communication with your teammates. Whether playing a pickup basketball game or doubles tennis, it’s important to be able to hear your partner or teammate communicate with you during the game. Whether it’s play calls or instructions on where to move, you’ll have a much easier time knowing what’s going on if you wear your hearing aids.
- Pick up other important sounds. Depending on what sport you play and where you play it, you may need to hear certain other noises as well, such as a buzzer or a referee blowing their whistle. These sounds can be hard to pick up without hearing aids, which is why wearing your device can be helpful.
- Can help with balance. Hearing loss can make you feel unbalanced and disoriented, which is not how you want to feel while in the middle of a game. Keeping your hearing aids in allows you to be more aware of your surroundings and focus on having fun and playing well.
Care For Your Hearing Aids During and After
- Wear protective gear. If you are playing a contact sport like football, rugby or even basketball, it’s important to wear a helmet or headgear that covers your hearing aids in a way that is effective yet comfortable. You may have to try a few different ones before you find the right fit.
- Use the right hearing aid accessories. Hearing aid clips can attach to your shirt or jersey and keep your hearing aids from falling onto the floor in case they come out while playing. This can help prevent them from getting stepped on or lost. Additionally, using sweatbands can help keep too much moisture from accumulating on your device.
- Clean your hearing aids after you’re done. Once the game or match is over, take out your hearing aids before you shower. Wipe them off and place them in a cool, dry container or, even better, use a drying box to help remove sweat and bacteria from your hearing aids.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact San Francisco Audiology today.