Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles

Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles

What are the best hearing aids for active lifestyles?

Hearing aids are invaluable tools for those with active lifestyles with hearing loss

Hearing aids can be a valuable tool for individuals with hearing loss to improve their hearing and communication in their daily lives. For those with active lifestyles, it is important to find a hearing aid that is comfortable, reliable, and able to keep up with their activities.

Those who have hearing loss and want to continue to enjoy an active lifestyle need to think carefully about what is important when either purchasing hearing aids for the first time or upgrading an existing pair.

Hearing aids that are designed to be reliable, comfortable, durable, and keep up!

For example, your hearing needs are different, and you will need support in hearing in challenging situations that are physically tough on hearing aids.  If you are a runner, you might need to be able to run, hear better, and listen to music at the same time.

So, you have an active lifestyle - what are your hearing aid priorities?  What features do you need to think about when purchasing a hearing aid?

Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a hearing aid for an active lifestyle

What are your priorities?

Most everyday activities involve differing levels of sweat, moisture, and movement.  Therefore, knowing the waterproof rating of the hearing aids you are considering is important.  This determines whether they are waterproof or water-resistant.

Most hearing aid manufacturers have devices with an IP68 rating and the rule of thumb for this is that they are reliable for 30 minutes under three feet of water.  It is not just moisture and rain, but IP68-rated hearing devices handle wind noise well too. This type of hearing aid, in theory, should not let you down.

Below we go through all the factors you might consider important when searching for the right hearing aid for your active lifestyle.

Comfort, size, and fit

If you are active, you might want a hearing aid that is small and discreet, so it will not get in the way or cause discomfort during physical activities. In-Ear hearing aids are a good option as they are small and fit snugly in the ear canal.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids can also be a viable choice as they can be fitted with sweat-resistant covers and have a secure fit.  If you want discretion and water resistance, some In-Ear models have an IP68 rating.  Check with your audiologist on what styles are available.  A really good example of a discrete hearing aid would be the Oticon Own hearing aid.

Water resistance

As I mentioned earlier, if you enjoy outdoor activities or participate in water sports, it is important to find a hearing aid that is water-resistant or waterproof. Many modern hearing aids are rated as "water-resistant" and can withstand some exposure to moisture.

It is also important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for care and use. For more extreme water activities, a "waterproof" hearing aid may be a better choice.  A really good example of a waterproof hearing aid would be Phonak Audeo Lumity Life hearing aids.  

Or if you want to have full control of your overall health, consider Phonak's Audeo Lumity Fit hearing aids that come with integrated health data tracking features.

Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles

Other factors to consider when looking for a hearing aid to match your active lifestyle

• Durability

An active lifestyle can put a lot of wear and tear on a hearing aid, so it's important to find one that is built to last. Therefore, looking for a hearing aid with a durable design and a good warranty is key.

• Connectivity

If you use a smartphone or other device for communication and entertainment, you may want a hearing aid that is compatible with these devices. Many modern hearing aids have Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to stream audio directly from your phone or other devices to your hearing aids. 

So, you can exercise, access hearing support, and listen to music or any other type of audio seamlessly.

• Sound quality

A high-quality hearing aid with good sound processing capabilities is important for anyone, but it's especially important for those with active lifestyles. Look for a hearing aid with advanced noise reduction, a wind noise management system, and sound amplification features to help you hear clearly in a variety of environments.

Wind, in particular, can be annoying for hearing aid users in general, but if you are active it can blow across the microphones and cause cavitation - which is super loud in the ear.

However, my guidance is to get advice from your audiologist as advanced wind noise reduction systems are usually only available at the top performance levels, so you will pay extra for this.  A really good example of this, and arguably the best hearing aid device incorporating wind noise management, is the Widex Sheer hearing aid.

• Battery life

Long battery life is important for an active lifestyle, as you don't want to be constantly worrying about running out of power. Many modern hearing aids have long battery life, but it's still a good idea to check the manufacturer's estimates and find one that meets your needs.  In almost all cases, I would recommend you consider rechargeable hearing aid options.

• Customisation and personalisation

It's important to find a hearing aid that can be customised to your specific hearing needs and preferences. Look for a hearing aid that offers a range of settings and allows you to fine-tune the sound to your liking and hearing loss level.

• Tracking features

In the audiology industry, we know that hearing loss is linked to cognitive and overall health and if hearing loss is left untreated - can hugely affect cognitive function.  There are now hearing aids with built-in heart rate sensors, which will work together with the motion sensor technology to deliver your activity data tracking feature for helpful well-being and health insights.

These "healthable" hearing aids offer tracking features that give you a wider understanding of both your hearing health and well-being.  A really good example of this would be the Phonak Audeo Fit hearing aids.

In conclusion

By considering these factors and working with a hearing healthcare professional, you can find a hearing aid that meets your needs and supports your active lifestyle. With the right hearing aid, you can enjoy all of your favourite activities without missing a beat.

In summary, if you are a hearing aid user and lead an active life you simply need three elements - an IP68 rating, a wind noise management system, and wireless connectivity.  These are your go-to main priorities (after your hearing needs of course!).

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