The Best Hearing Aid Type for Running

If you are experiencing hearing loss, then hearing aids are always going to be the best option. If you speak to your audiologist, they will help you make the right choice here. The hearing aids that will suit you will depend on your level of hearing loss and whether you are experiencing other conditions. For instance, you could have tinnitus. If that’s the case, you’ll hear sounds that aren’t actually there and that means noise masking technology could be useful. 

Of course, the right hearing aids could also depend on your lifestyle. For instance, you might love running. What will be the best type of hearing aids for this type of activity? Keep reading to learn what the best hearing aids are for running.

Do you need to wear hearing aids running?

You might be wondering whether you need to wear hearing aids while you are running if you are experiencing hearing loss. This will again depend on the extent of your hearing loss. However, in general, the answer will be yes. Wearing hearing aids will ensure that you are safe and fully aware of your surroundings. This will be particularly crucial if you are running outdoors near busy roads. You need to make sure that you are aware of traffic as well as people who are wandering around. 

You need to wear your hearing aids if you are working out in the gym too. It’s important that you can listen to what’s going on around you. This might include people who come up behind you while you are on the treadmill. 

Will they stay in?

One key consideration when you choose the type of hearing aids for running is whether they will stay in while you are moving around. Don’t forget, when you run you bounce up and down quite erratically. It’s possible that your hearing aids could fall out, particularly if you are sprinting. That’s the last thing you want if you’re exercising outdoors as you might never find them again. 

The good news is that there are a few different types of hearing aids that will stay in while running. For instance, you can choose behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. These will stay on as long as you make sure that they do have a strong hook. That’s why it’s worth researching the market. Some hooks on these hearing aids are quite flimsy. It also needs to provide a tight fit which is why you should opt for a metal variety. You can speak to your audiologist about this. 

Alternatively, you can choose in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids. Generally speaking, these are going to be sturdier and stay in your ear even when you are running. This is particularly true for ITC hearing aids. As the name suggests, these go deep within your ear and can’t even be seen by the naked eye. The only slight issue you might have is getting them out. However, if you have dexterity issues, they can be difficult handling because of their small size.

The other issue with ITC and ITE devices is that they are largely designed for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. If you have severe hearing loss, then you may struggle to hear everything you need to while running with these types of hearing aids. 

For these individuals, BTE style hearing aids could be the right choice for you. An audiologist will again be able to tell you whether these types of hearing aids are necessarily based on your individual needs. They can do this by completing a hearing test and may also ask about your lifestyle as well as the type of hobbies that you are interested in. 

What technology should you explore?

Finally, when you choose hearing aids for running, you should think about the technology that is available. There are lots of fantastic choices that could benefit you on the market. For instance, you might want to think about Bluetooth support. Ultimately, this will mean that you can connect your hearing aid to your phone or other personal devices. 

This will be great if you want to listen to music while you are running or if you need to take a phone call. Certain hearing aids also have directional technology so you can focus them in the direction you need to hear the most. 

If you would like to know more about hearing loss and the best hearing aids for runners, contact Audiology Associates at 573-332-7000. They will be able to assist you and ensure that you do make the right decision.