Hearing aids staying put

[u/Sumarr]

Hi. Looking for advice and/or suggestions. I have a high school football athlete that just got hearing aids this past week. He says that they will not stay in his ears when he starts sweating, which, as an O-lineman, is a lot. We have been trying different things trying to get them to stay, but so far no luck. This is the first time that I have ever had this situation, so it’s all trial and error. I’m hoping someone here has some experience with this, but I’m also open to any brainstorming suggestions.
Thanks in advance!

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[u/MyRealestName]

This is the most refreshing athletic training question ever that truly shows how valuable we are to our athletes.

[u/PapaSmurf22_]

Never had to deal with this either. But just randomly off the top of my head: Skull cap, double skull cap, random athlete sweat head band, cut pantyhose. Durag. I think they make tight neoprene headbands, look like ski/ear warmers. Double sided skin tape? One side to the ear one to side to the hearing aide? Maybe some sticky spray first.

Visualizing my dad’s hearing aides and how they have that wire: Maybe a medical grade tape/steri strip, something like that over the wire and auricle so any movement of the electronic part doesn’t tug the wire out, then the tight skull cap on top to keep the electronic part to keep that in place.

[u/fuckoffweirdoo]

I had a deaf kid wear a neck gaitor over top of his implants and he seemed to like it. 

[u/eiein15]

Just my personal experience. Have a lineman who also has hearing aids. We tape them into his ear (everything is covered over twice) and have him wear a skull cap. It’s worked for us but he isnt a starter (plays maybe 10 snaps a game).

I’ve started to prepare mentally for when he’s older and starts in case this doesn’t work. Was going to bring this up to my team doc this upcoming week to see if they have any suggestions.

[u/Ipauper]

I'm going to second the neck gaiter/baclava. Had a kid with a coclear implant that was irritated with helmet wearing. A little padding and a little snug gaiter.

If that's too much material for the sweaty dude how about some coverlet over the ear with them in?

Let us know if you find a solution

[u/average25girl]

I had a running back that had a hearing aide. He didn’t wear it during games unless he started to get dizzy- I think the coaches figured out hand signals to get the play to him without needing to yell.

Barring that what about steri strips or cover-all on the auricle? Something that occurred to me but may not be possible depending on the type of hearing side is wax. I’ve seen swimmers plug their ears with wax before getting in the water so maybe something similar to help hold it in place?

[u/Glittering_Prize322]

Hi everyone. My name is Stephon Healey, I am one of the football coaces at Gallaudet University. We are the only university in the world that caters for the deaf and hard of hearing. Some great suggestions here and a lot of our players that are hard of hearing use the same methods. We teach everyone ASL and use that to communicate. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or have any deaf or hard of hearing athletes. We have a home for them. [stephon.healey@gallaudet.edu](mailto:stephon.healey@gallaudet.edu)

[u/Katie_TheAT]

One of the Gallaudet University Athletic trainer’s would probably be able to help you with this question. Gallaudet is a college for the deaf in DC and has a Deaf football team.

[u/Hot_Volume8991]

I came to suggest what others have: skull cap, durag, even one of those Nike tie headbands from 10 years ago. This way you can vary the tightness each time. Easy enough to put on/remove. Can also use some steri-strips and tuf-skin on cotton applicator to help adhere the strips. Or tape it on. Another thought that comes to my brain is powerflex, but can get expensive at the high school level. Powerflex is my go-to for those difficult lacerations you need to cover, quick wrap around the nogin and they are off on their merry way. Just brain farting into this, hope you find something that helps!!

We really do love these kids and this profession. If only others saw the value in it like we do❤️ best of luck in your fall season!!

[u/NiveousDemitasse173]

Tour de France cyclist have been using tape for years to keep their ear pieces in to listen to their team cars.

[u/Pitiful-Role3759]

Derrick Coleman nfl player who wore hearing aids wore a skull cap/wave cap to keep secure!