Any seasoned hiker is aware there are many benefits to hiking, including connecting with nature. One study revealed that for hikers, “Benefits may be immediate, such as decreased blood pressure, decreased stress levels, enhanced immune system functioning, and restored attention, or transpire over time, such as weight loss, decreased depression, and overall wellness.”
People who wear hearing aids can enjoy all these benefits as well, but you may need to do a little extra preparation before setting out on Jacksonville Forest trails. We review how below.
Protect Your Devices from Moisture
Sweat and rain are both potential sources of moisture that can infiltrate your hearing aids and cause damage.
When it comes to sweat, you can wear a sweatband and keep your hair up to try to minimize the amount of sweat that comes into contact with your hearing aids, or you can purchase a moisture-repellent sleeve to put your hearing aids in while you’re hiking. Next time you upgrade your devices, consider a model that has minimal contact with your skin and hair.
When it comes to rain, you can wear a raincoat with a hood that cinches around your face or a rain hat with a wide brim to keep the water off your ears and your devices.
We also recommend investing in a dehumidifier to store your devices in at night to remove any excess moisture.
Protect Your Devices from Heat
While you may not choose to hike on a particularly hot day, direct sunlight can cause damage with enough exposure. To combat this, choose a trail that offers a lot of shade, or wear a wide-brim sun hat while hiking.
Protect Your Devices from Loss
It’s a common worry among hearing aid wearers that the devices can become lost. This is especially true on the trail, where they can fall into brush and not be found or fall on the path and be stepped on. You can purchase a hearing aid lanyard that attaches your hearing aids to your person, so if they fall out, they aren’t lost.
To learn more about potential hearing aid services and repairs or to schedule an appointment, call Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center today.