Hiking along the Peavine Trail on a hot Arizona day requires lots of water, a good sun hat and, if you’re among the more than 10% of people in the U.S. with hearing loss,[1] a few hearing aid care tips.
Hiking Dangers for Hearing Aids
Hearing aids amplify all those little hiking sounds you might have missed in the past, like the rustle of crunchy grass or the passing “Hello!” of a fellow hiker. Your devices may even help keep you safe by alerting you to things like a slithering snake in the underbrush.
The best way to ensure that your hearing aids are able to bring those hiking sounds to life is to watch out for things that could damage your devices or interfere with their regular functioning, including but not limited to:
- Excessive heat exposure
- Moisture damage
- Breakage or loss from falls
- Clogged sound ports from sweat or dirt
Let’s take a look at a few of the things you can do to safeguard your devices on your next sunny hike.
Essential Care Tips
With proper care, your devices can last you through every hike—whether you’re going on a short 3-mile trek around the city or a multi-day adventure in a national park. Take the following steps to keep your devices safe:
- Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat to keep your devices out of direct sunlight
- Frequently wipe sweat away from your ears
- Attach your hearing aids to your shirt with specialty clips
- Double-check that your hearing aids are still in your ears a couple of times an hour; doing so will narrow your search area if they do fall out
- Carry a portable hearing aid dehumidifier in case you drop your hearing aids in a river
- Bring a cleaning kit to remove dirt or sweat if they start to interfere with sound quality
If you notice sound issues such as crackling, feedback (a high-pitched whistle), or low volume after your hike, schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Prescott Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy for repair.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Hearing loss: Types, symptoms, causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-hearing-loss