Yoga combines physical poses with the philosophy of patience and self-acceptance. Its health benefits include developing stronger muscles, better balance, and increased flexibility. A robust yoga practice can also help people cope with the day-to-day frustrations of living with hearing loss. When combined with meditation, it can also help minimize tinnitus symptoms.
People with hearing loss may be skeptical about trying yoga. They wonder if they will be able to hear the instructor well enough to follow along in a class or if their devices will fall off when performing different yoga poses. These are real concerns, but the following tips should help you enjoy your yoga practice even when you have hearing loss.
BEFORE YOU START
1. Find the right studio. Visit a few yoga studios in your area to get a sense of the classes being offered. Speak to each manager about your hearing loss. There may be other students in the same boat. Ask the manager about classes with students of different age ranges and abilities, which might make for a less intimidating setting. Try a studio that seems the most accommodating.
2. Learn about the poses in advance. Most studios offer new student workshops. This is a great way to learn the basic poses in a smaller setting where hearing will be easier and one-on-one attention is the norm. Familiarity with the poses will give you confidence before heading into a group class. You can also watch videos for yoga beginners at home.
DURING CLASS
1. Go with a friend. If you have a friend who does yoga, ask if you can go with him or her to a class. Your friend might also be able to give you a tutorial ahead of time to let you know what to expect. During a class, you can follow along by watching your friend without feeling awkward about observing someone too closely.
2. Before a class starts, inform your yoga teacher about your hearing loss. This knowledge will allow the teacher to give you extra assistance if you seem to be missing something. Don’t feel awkward about talking to the teacher about your hearing loss. It is typical for students to discuss physical limitations such as an injury or illness with the yoga teacher before class.
3. Find a central spot in the room. This way, you can watch the people in front of you if you don’t hear the teacher’s instructions, and you can see other yogis behind or beside you. It is best if you can also see the teacher in case he or she demonstrates any of the poses. You can also ask the teacher to recommend a spot that would work best considering your hearing issue.
4. Use a headband or sweatband to protect your devices. If you find your cochlear implant or hearing aids fall off or move around too much during class, try holding them in place with a bandana or sweatband. This will also keep the sweat out of your ears and protect your devices from excess moisture.
5. Have fun. Hey, it’s only yoga! Who cares if your downward dog could use some work or if you are slightly behind the flow of the class as it moves to the next pose? Look around the room—others probably are too. Yoga is about improving your health and mental well-being, not a competitive sport. It also gets easier the more you do it.
6. Don’t give up if the first class is a dud. The first class you try might not be the right one for you. Try another class, instructor, or yoga style, or explore another studio. It’s like trying out hearing aids or princes–the first one you kiss might not be a good match.
Readers, do you practice yoga?
A version of this article was originally published in The Hearing Journal. Reproduced with their permission.
Shari,
Great article. I agree with everything you have proposed. In addition, I bought what I call hearing aid condoms to wrap around my aids since I like to do hot yoga. They usually keep the sweat out of the aid for an hour.
I have found that letting the instructor know of my hearing loss and setting up in the middle, back row are key. I am now confident enough to do it three times a week and to go to new cities (like Minneapolis tomorrow!) and try a new yoga studio. First thing I am doing when I get to hotel is asking the concierge for recommendations. I can’t go 5 days without practicing.
Mike
Same here. Maybe I will see you in class!
Great ideas, as always, Shari.
Thanks for this.
I try to get on the floor, every day.
Being able to get up and down, is critical, for older folks.
PTs snd personal trainers will tell you that movements like these, will keep us more limber, maintain balance skills and even cognitive skills.
It’s true for me.
I have fewer backaches and other body pain, when I remain physically active like this.
That is wonderful! Yoga is amazing. Thanks for your comment.
I have been practicing yoga for several years. I don’t wear my hearing aids to class. The instructor and the class know about my hearing. Everyone is super helpful. Like you said, I may not be the best but I need the stretching. I bought a shirt that says “Yoga is Therapy”. I don’t let my hearing loss stop me from doing anything I want to.
That is great! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
When I practice, I give my mini mic to my instructor to wear and her voice streams into my hearing aid and cochlear implant – it has been transformative for me.
Excellent idea. Thanks for sharing.
I have the ReSound Multi Mic – a small Bluetooth clip-on microphone that streams sound directly into my hearing aids. My yoga teacher wears it and I hear everything! I used to get so stressed during Savasana – the final relaxing pose – as I was straining to hear the teacher’s soft, calming words! No more!
Excellent! Thanks for sharing what works for you.