What are the benefits of hiking? Some might say exercise while others might say a breath of fresh air. Turns out, there are many benefits, both immediate such as “decreased blood pressure, decreased stress levels, enhanced immune system functioning, and restored attention,” and long-term like “weight loss, decreased depression, and overall wellness,” one study reports.
If you have hearing loss and wear hearing aids, you can still reap all these benefits, but you may need to do a little extra preparation before hitting Jordan Homestead Preserve. We review some tips below.
Protect Your Devices from Moisture
There are two major sources of moisture that can damage your devices while hiking.
Sweat can infiltrate your devices and mess with the delicate electronics inside. To prevent this, you can wear a sweat band around your head, or invest in moisture-repellent sleeves you can slide your hearing aids into. Next time you upgrade your devices, you can also consider models that have less contact with the skin and hair.
Rain is another source of moisture that can cause damage. If it’s supposed to be rainy on your hike, be sure to wear a rain jacket with a hood that cinches or a rain hat with a wide brim.
You can also invest in a dehumidifier to store your devices in at night, which will remove excess moisture.
Protect Your Devices from Heat
While you probably won’t be hiking in extreme heat, direct sunlight for an extended period of time can damage your devices. If you can, choose a shady trail or be sure to wear a sun hat so your devices are safe.
Protect Your Devices from Loss
Most hearing aid wearers worry about losing their devices. Losing them on the trail can be even more disastrous than losing them in your home, as you have a lower chance of finding them and a higher chance of stepping on them. You can purchase a hearing aid lanyard that attaches your devices to your clothes, so if they do fall out, they’re still attached to your person. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Audiology Center of Maine today.