Best Hearing Aids for Active People: Sweat, Secure Fit and Power

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

The best hearing aids for active people are the ones that suit your hearing test results and also cope with how you move: sweat, dust and heat, a fit that stays put, a power routine that lasts your day, and controls you can use on the go. Every Danavox family in our catalogue lists an IP68 rating, and several include rechargeable models. The right model for you is still chosen with your audiologist after a hearing test.

Being active with hearing loss is common, whether that means walking on the corniche, going to the gym, playing football, cycling or working outdoors. This guide covers what to look for and the habits that help hearing aids keep up with you.

What active people need from hearing aids

Sport and outdoor activity put a few specific demands on hearing aids:

Resistance to sweat and dust, because moisture and dirt can reach the microphones and the parts in the ear.
A secure fit, so the hearing aid stays in place when you run, bend or turn your head quickly.
Reliable power, so the hearing aid does not stop working in the middle of a game or a long day out.
Easy control, such as a button or a program change, without removing the hearing aid.
Phone connection, if you take calls or listen to audio while you train.

How much each one matters depends on your activities, so describe your week in detail at your appointment.

IP68: what it means for sweat, dust and heat

All eight Danavox families in our hearing aids catalogue list an IP68 rating, either in the manufacturer's features or in the model notes. Danavox describes several families as "all-weatherproof". Some go further, according to the manufacturer:

Astro Core: "IP68-rated all-weatherproof nanocoating" and exchangeable microphone filters.
Astro Pro: "IP68-rated with protective nanocoating" and exchangeable microphone filters.
Astro Pro SP: "IP68-rated, fully nanocoated inside and out", with exchangeable microphone filters.

IP68 is a rating for resistance to dust and water. It does not mean a hearing aid is designed for swimming or diving, and it does not replace daily care. Take your hearing aids off before swimming or showering. Also note that our warranty does not cover hearing aids dropped into liquids. The full warranty terms are below.

Heat matters too. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) advises keeping hearing aids away from heat and moisture. In Muscat's summer, that means not leaving them in a parked car or in direct sun. Our article on hearing aids in heat, sweat and humidity covers care in a hot climate in detail.

A secure fit when you move

A hearing aid that moves around is uncomfortable and may not sound right. A secure fit depends on:

The style. Receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear hearing aids both have a part that sits behind the ear. The KLAR CIC models sit in the ear canal with nothing behind the ear, but suit only some hearing losses and ear canals.
The part in the ear. Domes, tips and custom earmoulds hold the hearing aid in different ways. Ear impressions for custom moulds can be taken when needed.
What you wear on your head. Helmets, caps and headbands can press on or shift a hearing aid. Bring them to your fitting if you use them often.

Tell your audiologist which activities you do, so the fit can be checked with movement in mind. For contact sports, ask whether you should wear your hearing aids at all during play.

Power: rechargeable routine or batteries

Several families include rechargeable models: KLAR, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP. Not every model in those families is rechargeable, and BARANI and Anthe use zinc-air batteries. For example, KLAR has two rechargeable RIC models, while its other models use zinc-air batteries.

For a rechargeable routine, charging overnight and starting each day full is the simplest habit. Danavox describes Boreal as offering "rechargeable all-day power from quick recharge". If you travel or spend long days outdoors, the accessories page lists the Danavox Premium Charger, which the manufacturer describes as a powerbank-style charger with up to three days of on-the-go charging without a power outlet. The Standard Charger is a carry case with a lid that protects the hearing aids.

If you use batteries, keep spares in a dry, closed container in your sports bag.

Controls and phone streaming on the go

Buttons: Many models list a programmable push button or toggle, so you can change volume or program without taking the hearing aid out. Ask your audiologist which programs would help in your settings, such as a busy gym.
TapControl: Listed for the microRIE models in Brisa and Astro Pro, and for Astro Pro SP. For Brisa, the catalogue describes it as a way to pick up calls with iPhone or iPad.
Remote control: According to Danavox, it changes programs and volume, has large buttons and a lock key to avoid accidental activation.
Phone streaming: Each family lists Bluetooth connectivity, but the details differ, and the two KLAR CIC models are not wireless. Check your own phone with the model you are considering.
Remote microphone: According to Danavox, the Multi-Mic+ helps with speech understanding in noise and extends hearing range by up to 80 feet. It works with compatible hearing aids.

Everyday habits for active wearers

Wipe your hearing aids with a soft dry cloth after exercise.
Let them dry before putting them in the charger or case.
Check the microphone openings and the part in the ear for sweat, dust or wax.
Store them in their case, never loose in a sports bag.
Take them off before showering, swimming or using spray products.

If a hearing aid sounds weak after a sweaty session, cleaning often helps. If it does not, bring it in for a check.

Use the lifestyle finder

Our hearing aid lifestyle finder asks about your daily activities and can help you prepare for your appointment. The final recommendation comes from your hearing test and a Danavox hearing aid fitting consultation.

When to see the clinic or a doctor

Contact the clinic if the hearing aid keeps falling out during activity, if your ear or the skin behind it feels sore, if the sound changes after sweat or dust and cleaning does not help, or if the battery or charge no longer lasts your day. These can be checked and adjusted at follow-up visits.

If you notice a sudden drop in hearing, especially in one ear, dizziness with hearing loss, ear pain with discharge, or a change in hearing after a blow to the ear or head during sport, seek urgent medical care the same day rather than waiting for a hearing aid appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I exercise with my hearing aids?

Many people do. Choosing a model with a resistance rating, getting a secure fit and drying the hearing aids after exercise all help. Ask your audiologist about contact sports and swimming.

Are IP68 hearing aids waterproof?

IP68 means resistance to dust and water, not that a hearing aid is made for swimming. Take your hearing aids off before swimming or showering. Hearing aids dropped into liquids are not covered by our warranty.

What does the warranty cover?

Every Danavox hearing aid from us has a one-year warranty from the date of purchase. It covers manufacturing defects and maintenance, with a visit every three months that includes a hearing test, programming and free maintenance. It does not cover breakage, misuse, cut wires or hearing aids dropped into liquids. The condition is that the hearing aids are not programmed at another hearing centre and no repair is attempted by a technician outside our centre.

Rechargeable or battery hearing aids for sport?

Both can work. Rechargeable models avoid changing small batteries outdoors, while battery models let you carry spares. Your audiologist can explain which suits your hearing and routine.

Book an appointment

To find hearing aids that suit your hearing and your activities, book an appointment for a hearing test at Jordan Hearing & Speech in Bousher, Muscat. No referral is needed. Bring any helmet or headwear you use, and describe your week so the Danavox hearing aid fitting can be planned around it.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
Danavox — Hearing aids
Danavox product portfolio, as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Hearing Aid Selection, Fitting, Programming & Follow-up