One of the biggest misconceptions is that having a hearing aid could hold you back from playing sports or living an active life.
Back in 1983, Jim Kyte showed the world that hearing aids were no match for the NHL. One decade later, Curtis Pride did the same thing for the MLB. In the NBA, Lance Allred was the first legally deaf player to join the NBA in 2007. Looking at the NFL, Derrick Coleman made history when the deaf football player was drafted to play for the Seattle Seahawks.
The list goes on and on. The bottom line is that hearing aids have been helping athletes improve their games and skills for decades. Though these devices come with many advantages, users must understand how to protect and take care of their hearing aids adequately.
The Benefits and Advantages of Using Hearing Aids During Physical Activity and Sports
Safety is always key. Whether you are running a track through the wilderness, biking on the boardwalk, or shooting hoops on the court, there are many ways hearing can offer protection.
From unexpected pedestrians to unwanted airballs and accidents, curveballs are quite literally bound to happen.
However, by taking the necessary steps to promote an improved quality of hearing, players will be able to keenly respond to all of the surrounding cues. Speaking of responding – often sports require us to play on teams and follow coaches’ orders or tips.
With that being said, it is important that everyone is able to clearly communicate with one another. Plus, jamming out to your favorite songs is easily one of the most enjoyable perks that come with using hearing aids while exercising.
Embracing hearing aids in a sports setting will promote players’ success and help remove the unnecessary and unwanted stigmas that sometimes surround these devices.
How Do I Protect My Hearing Aids During Sporting Activities?
Many people encourage hearing aid users to look at their devices as just another piece of sports equipment, and, in many ways, this is true.
There are many things individuals can do to guarantee that their hearing aids are protected during and after any physical activity.
- Hearing aid clips are a simple solution that can help keep these innovative devices in place.
- Sweatbands are a more dynamic solution.
- Coleman is well-known in the NFL for wearing two skull caps as a way of keeping his
- hearing aids both protected and in place.
- It is important that no matter what, users make sure they thoroughly clean their devices
- after each use. This becomes even more true for people who are active or are athletes.
- Hearing aid blowers and puffers are an easy solution for removing moisture and hidden
- debris. Disinfecting is another crucial step of the maintenance process. One way to handle
- this is to buy a hearing dehumidifier. This product allows individuals to keep their products sanitized and dry.
Hearing aids and sports might seem like tricky territory, but that is far from the case.
If you or a loved one would like to discuss hearing aid options or have any hearing-related concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Sound Audiology & Hearing Aids.
We are happy to help!
