Olympic Fever: Sports With a Hearing Implant

After receiving your hearing implant, you may have a lot of questions about what you can and can’t do when it comes to playing sports. While we can’t offer strategies to become a world champion, we can offer you some tips for hearing your best while you play sports!

High-Action Sports

Sports Headband

For high-action sports like volleyball or football, the Sports Headband is specially designed to keep RONDO and SAMBA series audio processors safe. It offers special pockets to hold your audio processor in place, and its breathable fabric protects your audio processor from sweat and moisture.

Attachment & Activity Clips

You can also keep your RONDO or SAMBA series processor in place by using our Attachment Clips for clothes and hair or our magnetic Activity Clip.

Fixation Loop for Glasses

Specifically for your RONDO series processor, we also offer our Fixation Loop that slides over the earpiece of your glasses to keep your processor secure.

GripWear

If you’re an adult with an OPUS 2, SONNET or RONDO series audio processor, we recommend using GripWear, an adhesive silicone ring that helps keep the coil positioned correctly over the implant. You can also use the Activity Hook for additional fixation around the bottom of your ear when you do sports.

Huggy & Mellie Clip

For children with a SONNET series or OPUS 2 audio processor, we recommend using the Huggy, a soft fixation option that attaches to the audio processor and goes over the whole ear. Another option for children is our Mellie Clip, a lanyard that can be connected to either one or both audio processors before being clipped to clothing for added security.

Check out all our fixation options here.

Water Sports

WaterWear

If you prefer canoeing, swimming, or other water sports, we have just the right thing for you. With WaterWear, you can have fun in the water with SONNET, RONDO, and SAMBA series audio processors. For your OPUS 2, SONNET and RONDO series audio processors, we recommend using an additional swimming cap over your processor with WaterWear for extra security.

It’s best to talk with your MED-EL representative to find out if you need to be aware of anything before trying out certain water sports with your audio processor, such as diving or water polo.

Track and Field

Many non-contact sports like running or gymnastics can be played without any special considerations—just put on your processor and go!

Sports Headband & GripWear

If you’re doing sports with potential impact, such as high jump or long jump, you may want to experiment with ways to keep your audio processor secure, such as the Sports Headband for RONDO and SAMBA series audio processors, or GripWear for SONNET series and OPUS 2 audio processors.

Attachment & Activity Clips

For SAMBA and SAMBA 2 users, there is a range of accessories available for an active lifestyle: The Activity Clip provides additional magnet fixation between your implant and processor, and the Hair Attachment Clip offers maximum security.

Sports Requiring Helmets

Helmets

Want to perfect a horse jump or pedal for gold? No problem! You can play sports that require a helmet with your hearing implant audio processor on. Whether it’s horse riding or cycling, make sure you choose a helmet that fits firmly and comfortably on your head and one that doesn’t put pressure on your implant or processor. This will ensure your safety and prevent your audio processor from getting damaged. Also, make sure your audio processor has enough space under the helmet. Ideally, the helmet should have generous cutouts around your audio processor.

There are lots of helmet brands available, so make sure you try out multiple options to find the one that best fits you.

Drying Kit

And don’t forget to use our Drying Kit to remove any excess moisture from your SONNET series audio processor if you’re hot and sweaty after getting active. Doing so is an important part of taking care of your audio processor.

If you have any questions about a sport you want to try, have a chat with your MED-EL team to find out strategies to play these sports safely while keeping your audio processor on. Now get out there, and have fun staying fit and active!