There’s nothing like walking along the Whispering Pines Trail or heading out west for a week-long thru-hike. Not only is nature beautiful, but spending time in it can actually benefit your mental, cognitive and physical health.
One 2022 literature review analyzing 39 studies found that individuals who spent time in natural outdoor environments saw consistent improvements across those mental, cognitive and physical health outcomes; mental health improved in 98% of studies, cognitive health improved in 75% of studies and physical health improved in 83% of studies.[1]
If you love to hike in the summer, you know that preparation is key. You need plenty of water and food, good shoes and, for more than 10% of the people in the U.S., well-functioning hearing aids.[2]
If you fit into that 10% of U.S. people, take a look at our list of tips to help you care for your devices before, during and after every hike.
Charge Your Hearing Aids or Replace Their Batteries
Rechargeable hearing aids should last you an entire single-day hike. If you’re doing a multi-day hike, make sure you pack their charging case and a portable battery. If your hearing aids use disposable batteries, check their level on your smartphone companion app before setting out. Pack a couple extra batteries if you’re thru-hiking.
Clean Your Hearing Aids
Clean your hearing aids the night before your hike to ensure the clearest sound. Pack your cleaning kit on day hikes and thru-hikes for on-the-go maintenance.
Bring a Dehumidifier
An electric hearing aid dehumidifier or a drying jar filled with desiccating beads is crucial on hikes. Even if your hike isn’t around a body of water, Texas humidity can still leave your hearing aids moist. Thru-hikers should place their devices in their dehumidifier each night to reduce moisture build-up.
Wear Clips
Hearing aid clips attach your devices to your shirt. They’re an excellent tool to keep your devices from falling out of your ears and getting stepped on or lost.
Schedule a Repair & Service Appointment
A repair & service appointment is our opportunity to deep clean, remove moisture from and check the settings on your hearing aids. You should schedule one every six months to keep your devices healthy. Contact SoundLogic for your pre-hike hearing aid tune-up.
[1] Nejade, R. M., Grace, D., & Bowman, L. R. (2022). What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature. Journal of global health, 12, 04099. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.12.04099
[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2023, August 24). Hearing loss: Types, symptoms, causes & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17673-hearing-loss