Flocolor Hearing Health Series — Active Use
Table of Contents
1. Decide Whether to Wear Them
Hearing aids can improve access to coaching, partners, alarms, traffic, and approaching people. Whether to wear them depends on the device rating, activity, weather, collision risk, helmet or protective equipment, and the user's communication needs.
Water resistance is not the same as waterproofing. An IP rating applies under specific laboratory conditions and can decline with age, damage, open battery doors, clogged seals, or repairs. Follow the exact model instructions.
Remove conventional hearing aids before swimming, showering, sauna, or water sports unless the manufacturer explicitly approves that use.
2. Prevent Drops and Loss
- Confirm the dome, earmold, receiver length, and retention lock fit before exercise.
- Use a compatible retention cord, sleeve, or sports clip that does not cover microphones.
- Secure long hair and place glasses or sunglasses so they do not lever the device outward.
- Test hats, headbands, and helmets at home for rubbing, feedback, and pressure.
- Carry a labeled hard case; never wrap a device in a tissue or place it loose in a pocket.
For collision sports, discuss ear safety, headgear fit, and whether removal is safer with the hearing-care professional and coach.
3. Manage Sweat and Moisture
- Begin with clean, dry ears and fully closed battery doors or charging contacts.
- Use a breathable sweatband that diverts moisture without covering the microphones.
- Blot sweat from skin and device exterior during breaks—do not wipe debris into ports.
- If heavy rain starts or the device becomes soaked, move to shelter and follow the model's moisture procedure.
- Never dry with a hair dryer, oven, microwave, direct sun, or radiator.
4. Sport-by-Sport Recommendations
| Activity | Main Risk | Useful Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Walking / light jogging | Sweat, wind, road awareness | Retention plus awareness-friendly program |
| Gym / strength training | Sweat, hats, equipment contact | Secure fit; keep case off the floor |
| Cycling | Helmet pressure, wind, traffic | Professional fit check; preserve environmental cues |
| Team / racquet sports | Impact and sudden movement | Strong retention; assess collision risk |
| Swimming / sauna | Water, heat, humidity | Store conventional aids in a dry hard case |
5. Programs, Wind, and Awareness
A wind-noise or outdoor program may improve comfort, but excessive reduction or audio streaming can reduce awareness of vehicles, bicycles, teammates, or alarms. Do not use noise-canceling behavior as a substitute for safe route choice and visual checking.
If a coach or partner is distant, a compatible remote microphone can improve speech access. Protect the accessory from sweat and impact and confirm that streamed audio does not mute important environmental input.
Safety first: No hearing program guarantees detection or localization of hazards. Continue to use vision, route awareness, mirrors, and established sport safety practices.
6. Post-Workout Care
- Wash and dry hands before removing the devices.
- Wipe exterior surfaces with the recommended dry cloth.
- Inspect domes, earmolds, wax guards, microphone openings, and charging contacts.
- Use the approved drying system; open a disposable-battery door if model instructions recommend it.
- Contact the provider for intermittent sound, corrosion, persistent moisture, pain, or feedback.
Good routine: Secure before activity, blot during breaks, dry and inspect afterward.
References
- NIDCD. “Hearing Aids.”
- ASHA. “Hearing Aids for Adults.”
- World Health Organization. “Deafness and Hearing Loss.”
Safety disclaimer: Follow the exact device manual and sport safety rules. Water resistance, retention accessories, and suitable listening programs vary by model and activity.
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