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Hearing Loss
June 14, 2024
5min

Using Hearing Aids with an Outdoor Lifestyle

Whether you’re involved in outdoor sports or are an avid runner, hiker, camper, etc., there are ways to make your hearing aids adapt to your needs!

Author:
Molly Glass
Using Hearing Aids with an Outdoor Lifestyle
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Weatherproof Materials

There is a valid fear of exposing a highly intricate feat of engineering to the elements. However, with the right choice of aids, you can find peace of mind. Ask your audiologists about options made with weather-resistant materials. 

For instance, Phonak produces a “waterproof” hearing aid, which is waterproof up to 1.64 feet of water. While it’s not ideal for swimming, it can provide a sense of security while running in the rain or sweating during a high-endurance exercise class. 

Secure Fittings

A common fear is the aid falling out of the ear during extreme movements. However, there are solutions readily available. You can find headbands on Amazon and Etsy specifically designed for retention. These custom bands with clips attach to the hearing aid or cochlear implant, providing a secure fit. Some even have a special pocket for a processor to slide into, making your outdoor activities more comfortable and worry-free. 

Another solution is to ensure you have frequent mold fittings. Molds can crack and deteriorate over time, so ideally, you should have fittings for new molds once or twice a year. A secure fit will help hold your aid into place even while active. 

Head Protection

A male cyclist is in a red shirt, wearing a helmet, and holding a bike in the air. 

A common complaint about helmets for riding bikes or motorcycles is feedback from the shell being too close to the aid. To avoid this, look for helmets with clearance around the ear. Helmets designed to accommodate headphones would work well in this situation.

Bluetooth settings

Hearing aids with Bluetooth settings work well for the outdoors. They enable you to listen to music, GPS directions from your phone, or even a podcast. The advantage of Bluetooth features is that it eliminates background noise like wind, bird chirping, and other outdoor sounds. 

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Waterproof Containers

Waterproof sports cases are not just for smartphones and car keys. They’re also a great place to store your hearing aids in extreme elements, such as rafting on whitewater rapids. Many cases are attached to a lanyard you can wear for security. 

If you need extra protection and peace of mind, there are also waterproof storage cases specially designed for hearing aids with custom molds to hold them in place. 

Solar Powered Battery Chargers

The invention of rechargeable hearing aid batteries and aids was great - unless you’re a camper far away from a power source. Solar power banks are a great solution to keeping your batteries and aids charged. Mainstream power plugs for hearing aid chargers can work with a typical solar power bank. 

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Solar Battery Charger. Image Credit: Solar Ear

However, if your hearing aids charge differently, there are solar rechargers specifically made for hearing aids. One such brand is Solar Ear, which sells the charger pictured above. It can also charge smartphones! 

Conclusion

Using hearing aids in the great outdoors is doable with forethought and preparation. With the help of some accessories and planning, you can use your hearing aids to their fullest potential while enjoying your favorite activities!

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Molly Glass

Molly, a Deaf mom of two CODAs, lives with her hearing partner of almost 14 years in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Profoundly Deaf since 18 months old, she enjoys writing about the lived Deaf experiences and advocacy. In her free time she reads, and is very slowly working on authoring her first book.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

Using Hearing Aids with an Outdoor Lifestyle

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

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A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.