7 things active people should know about wearing hearing aids

Regular exercise is good for your body and your mind. But if you wear hearing aids, you may wonder if it’s OK to work out with them. And how do you keep hearing aids dry during water aerobics? Or prevent them from falling out of your ears if you play sports?

The short answer: “Hearing aids are actually meant to be worn in all situations,” says Alison Kaye, Au.D. She’s an audiologist and director of Hearing Wellness Centers in Highland Park, Illinois. “Today’s hearing aids can withstand a lot of physical activity and moisture.”

That means you don’t really have to take them off when you play pickleball, hit the gym or take a yoga class.

But there are a few tips that may help protect your hearing aids when you work out. Read on to learn more.

1. Let your hearing care professional know your activity level

Getting fitted for new hearing aids? Most of the time your hearing care professional will ask you about your daily life. This helps them determine the best hearing aids for you as well as the best way to keep them in your ears, says Kaye.

If they don’t ask, be sure to mention any sports or activities you love to do.

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2. Consider your hearing aid options

Picking the right hearing aid depends on many factors, including your activity level, lifestyle and dexterity (say, how well you handle small earpieces). “In general, there isn’t one type of device that’s better than another,” says Kaye. “It really depends on the person.”

See what your hearing care professional recommends for your situation and exercise habits. It’s possible you could go with any of the 4 main types of hearing aids:¹

• Behind-the-ear (BTE)
• Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC)
• In-the-ear
• In-the-canal or completely-in-the-canal

3. Make sure you know how to insert your hearing aids

This is more important than the type of hearing aid you get. When you put your hearing aids in correctly, they’re less likely to fall out, says Kaye. “If they’re in your ears right, you can stand on your head and do yoga and your hearing aids will be fine,” she adds.

Luckily, you’ll learn that during a fitting appointment with a hearing care professional.² It may take several tries before you are able to tell for yourself whether your devices are in correctly. You can do this by feeling or looking in a mirror.

Your hearing care professional can help show you how to care for your hearing aids too.

Through UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you get up to 3 follow-up visits at no extra cost — and a trial period to try out your new prescription hearing aids. Learn more.

4. Don’t stress too much about sweat

Hearing aids have gotten more water resistant.³ Today’s devices are pretty hardy, and they’re built to withstand a lot of moisture, says Kaye. That said, you may find yourself exercising in very hot, humid weather.

Let’s say you go for a run or play golf on a steamy summer day. If you perspire a lot, your hearing aids may need extra TLC.

Your best bet is to get a dry-aid kit or dehumidifier. These are special containers that remove moisture from your devices. Some double as chargers. You don’t need to dry out your devices after your workout, although you can. Just pop them in the kit at night.

Another option if you’re sweating excessively? Take out your hearing aids until you cool down.

5. Take off your hearing aids when you swim

Yes, many hearing aids are built to resist water to varying degrees. “But I wouldn’t advise anyone to swim with their devices on,” says Kaye. Hearing aids can still get damaged if they’re dunked in water. Take them out before you swim laps at the pool or dive into the ocean.

You could wear water-resistant hearing aids during a water aerobics class, though. Just be very sure you’re not going to put your head underwater, says Kaye. Or that you won’t get soaking wet from splashing around. 

6. Program your devices for your workout classes

Sometimes the music can get loud during an exercise class, whether it’s Zumba or indoor cycling. You can turn down the volume on your devices whenever you take a class. Or, if you’re a regular, ask your hearing care professional to program a special setting. That would mean turning the background noise down low while raising speech sounds so you can hear the instructor, says Kaye.

7. Practice helmet safety when you bike or ski

Do you love to ride your bike or go downhill skiing? Safety reminder: Every adult should wear a helmet to protect their head and reduce the risk of a brain injury if they fall.^4,5 And it’s perfectly fine to keep your hearing aids on underneath your helmet, says Kaye. 

But if you’re worried that your helmet may jostle your devices in some way, invest in a hearing aid clip. This is a type of lanyard that loops onto your hearing aids on one end, and clips to your shirt or jacket on the other. That way, you can keep track of your devices. (Lanyards are also good for active kids or grandkids who wear hearing aids, Kaye says.)

The takeaway? Stay active, keep moving and have fun. Your hearing aids shouldn’t get in the way of your favorite sport or workout, no matter which one you do.

Sources

1. Types of hearing aids U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed March 18, 2025.
2. Hearing aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed March 18, 2025.
3. How to choose hearing aids: Types and styles National Council on Aging. Accessed March 18, 2025.
4. Bicycle safety Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed March 18, 2025.
5. Helmet safety National Ski Areas Association. Accessed March 18, 2025.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

Hearing aids purchased in the Silver technology level will receive 1 follow-up visit.