I drive a rescue boat, part time. We usually only go offshore when the weather is bad. I am getting a set of Specsavers HAs in a couple of weeks. I have already lost two pairs of expensive multifocal glasses offshore (winds up to 60kn, sometimes), and I’d like advice on what others here who do this kind of activity do to keep their HAs in place! The audiologist simply said “You’ll have to stop doing that”, but as I develop these boat-handling skills (over 10 years, now), I’d like to continue.
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Yeah there’s definitely some clip’s type device I’ve seen before, I’ll try and find a link for you.
Either a knitted had or something like this to cover your ears. https://www.amazon.com/180s-Warmers-Headband-Excellent-Running/dp/B09KQXLCWY/ref=asc_df_B09KQXLCWY?mcid=375ea9706e603393b5bbc652c131da52&hvocijid=5536469287058884827-B09KQXLCWY-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5536469287058884827&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013562&hvtargid=pla-2281435178338&psc=1
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If you have to wear them when the salt water is flying you will learn which aids are best. Some can not deal with salt water at all and others do better if you take care of them. That means cleaning and drying them often.
Using monofilament you can secure them to your shirt, neck or body. If possible but them in dry storage when it gets really bad. We don’t know how bad your hearing is. Sharing your audiogram is helpful.
I am bilateral CI. These processors are my life blood to hear. I have learned to secure them somehow or put them away when it’s necessary. It saves a bunch of headache and cost.
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Asked the fishing buddy on how to use fishing line to make special knots that tied the fishing hooks. A small lasso will keep the HA’s safe. Put the fishing line thru the button hole in your shirt, then tied to the HA’s.
Fishing lines are cheap and lasting. We used it to tie the porcelain cap from falling off when pouring hot tea.
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Thanks everyone. I can tie fishing line; thanks for that suggestion. But the best suggestion looks like a relatively loose weave headband, like the one MDB suggested. I’ll get the HAs first, then try some out to see which affect hearing accuracy the least. Using the radio offshore and hearing the skipper clearly are my priorities.
I will upload my audiogram when I get it from the audio, too.
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Yes: I’d go with the ‘Mark Knopfler/John McEnroe’ approach too. You might be able to get an open cell Beanie liner kind of cap that I’ve seen some of the guys wearing under their helmets when Kayaking.
There’s also a few helmet designs with full or partial ear coverage, but I’m not sure how that would fit with the rest of your PPE on the boat.
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Re. PPE: uniform, wet weather gear, life jacket, and choice of floppy broad-brim hat or billed cap—so the McEnroe approach seems workable to me. I wear glasses, so the temples will help to hold the HAs in place. We don’t wear helmets. I can wear only a beanie too, if I prefer (I usually do in winter). Thanks!
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I’m female and used to wear waterproof analog hearing aids when I dinghy sailed. I connected my Aids with a kids HA clip to my hair bun so it wasn’t in the way and kept them behind my ears.
This was the hearing aid that I wore.
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And for the glasses - if you haven’t already found these - neoprene bands that you can have a tight fit round the back of the head.
In my years of high performance dinghy sailing and windsurfing I have only lost 1 pair of glasses. I have been too scared of taking the hearing aids afloat
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I spent 30 years as a boat captain and instructor. At the time i had in the ear aids and never had a problem. However i took them out when on waverunners and such because none that i know of can handle getting soaked. Today i wear behind the ear type. When i got new aids recently the audiologist asked if i wanted tails for them. (My previous pair came with tails,) i asked the purpose of the tail. She said it keeps the aid from popping out of the ear in the event the aid gets knocked off my ear. I told her definitely yes. But again, with the conditions on a rescue boat i’d leave them at the helm when i went out on deck unless i was wearing ear flaps.
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Thank you, Captain.
Agree completely, and the headband that MDB suggested can be worn. Problem solved, I believe. I get my new HAs this coming Monday.
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I highly recommend DeafMetal safety rings, they are an amazing way to secure hearing aids, they make some nice earrings too for those with pierced ears!
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During the days of wearing masks, it was really easy to lose a hearing aid. Since I wear wire rim glasses, I started placing the aid on the outside of the glasses temple so that the temple was between the receiver wire and my head. This would keep the aid from flying out with the mask. For me, this has worked well.
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Correction: the aid wire was between the glasses temple and my head.
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Do you use these? I have some of their cuffs, but I can’t seem to get them shaped in a way that they don’t hurt my ears. Any tips?
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I have the simple silver safety ring, the flower safety ring and Riley earrings for pierced ears, but no cuffs. All of the ones I own haven’t caused me any problems.
Jenni, the founder of Deafmetal is very lovely and helpful I would recommend getting in touch with her as she will probably have some tips and maybe a video. Hope this helps you. 
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Hi Joan! I’m here to help 
It might be how you’ve placed the Holster… what device make & model do you wear? Hermienke xx
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