Expert Tips: Sports with Hearing Aids: What Should I Pay Attention To?

When exercising, beads of sweat often form on your forehead? If you wear a hearing aid, this can become a problem. If moisture enters the system, damage to the sensitive electronics can occur. However, this can be easily avoided: "A headband, a hat or a cap - depending on the type of sport - can catch sweat before it reaches the sensitive technology," advises Eberhard Schmidt, President of the Federal Association of Hearing Acousticians (biha).

A headband is particularly practical for a second reason: it keeps the hearing system in place - especially for fast sports such as jogging or horse riding. However, the band should not be too tight, otherwise pressure points and interference noises can occur.

Three questions and answers about exercising with hearing systems.

1. Which sports are suitable with a hearing aid - and which are not?

For most sports, wearing a hearing aid is no problem. "Especially for team sports where it is important to hear team members' calls or for sports where communication between coach and athlete is essential, good hearing is crucial," says Schmidt. In these cases, it is not possible without a hearing aid.

However, in some cases, it is better to leave the hearing aid in the sports bag or at home: Schmidt mentions combat sports, for example, where there is close and sudden body contact. Here, a blow to the ear can be enough to cause an injury through the device. And of course, the hearing aid itself can also be damaged.

It is also better to avoid water sports such as swimming without a hearing aid. "Hearing systems are usually protected against splash water, but too much moisture is not good for the electronics," says Schmidt.

2. What should I consider if I want to listen to music while exercising?

Jogging playlist or an exciting podcast: especially for those who exercise alone, sometimes some entertainment in the ear is needed for motivation. If the hearing system can be connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth, music or podcasts can be streamed directly into the ear, as Eberhard Schmidt explains.

However, if you are not in the gym but outdoors, you should ensure that car noises, bicycle bells and co. can still be heard. This can be adjusted in the hearing aid settings. Another tip: if you want to exercise with musical accompaniment, it is better to charge the hearing system beforehand, "because streaming consumes more battery," says Schmidt.

3. What should I consider after training?

Finished sweating? Good! Before taking a shower, you should remove the hearing system. To ensure that the sweat does not cause any damage, it is best to clean the devices with a soft, lint-free cloth, as Eberhard Schmidt advises. "Then, they should be placed in a special drying box provided for hearing systems."