What’s more relaxing than a nap in a hammock or roasting marshmallows by the campfire at Bear Canyon Trail Campground? Not much – in fact, research shows that spending time outdoors is linked to increased cognition and better mood.
For people with hearing loss, camping can be just as relaxing; however, you may need to do a little extra preparation and take a little more care during your trip. Below we provide tips for camping with hearing loss.
Have a Dry Spot for Your Hearing Aids
There’s nothing worse than a wet sleeping bag, except maybe wet hearing aids. Your hearing aids contain delicate electronics that can become damaged when wet. And no matter how water-tight your hearing aids claim to be, there are no models that are 100% waterproof. To prevent your hearing aids from being water damaged, all you need is a good quality zip-lock bag.
Pack Cleaning Tools
Most people expect to get dirty when they camp, but your hearing aids shouldn’t. Like with moisture, dust can infiltrate the devices and cause problems. To prevent this, be sure to bring your cleaning kit and actually use it before going to bed each night.
Beware of Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight and excessive heat are yet another cause of damage to hearing aids. You should keep your devices somewhere cool and shady when you’re not wearing them. When you are wearing them, you should also wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Bring a Good Light Source
This is a good idea whether you have hearing loss or not, but you should definitely bring a good light source if you rely on lip-reading to communicate. Otherwise, you’ll be left in the dark – and quiet – once the sun sets.
Rely on Other Senses
If your hearing loss would prevent you from knowing if there’s an animal or other danger nearby, be sure to rely on your sense of sight to look for tracks and smell to detect feces nearby.
Communicate Your Whereabouts
This is an important tip for all campers: Make sure someone outside your camping group knows where you are, how long you’ll be there and when they can expect to hear from you. Do not rely on having cell service to communicate this information.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call The House Institute today.