If you're like most people, the answer is probably somewhere between "not at all" and "nowhere near enough." Per The Mayo Clinic, the average adult should get at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio or 75 minutes of vigorous cardio a week.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that almost seems to discourage this. Think about it —when's the last time you had to get up and move around for anything? Especially given the pandemic, being a couch potato has never been easier.

You can get all your food delivered. You can do all your work from the comfort of a recliner or couch—ditto for all your entertainment.

We likely don't need to tell you how much damage that level of sedentism can cause to the human body. You're doubtless already aware of that. Just as you're mindful of the fact that every time you think about exercising, you probably have a list of excuses ready to justify avoiding it. 

You're too tired. You have too much work to do. You might damage your hearing aids. 

You get the idea. The first step in being healthier is recognizing those excuses for what they are. We can offer some advice in regards to the last one.

Here's how you can ensure your hearing aids don't become a reason to avoid staying active: 

  • Prevent sweat damage. You might spring for a sweat-absorbing headband, which has the bonus of keeping your hearing aids in place during particularly strenuous activity. Alternatively, there are sweat-resistant covers you can slip onto your hearing aids for periods of intense exercise.
  • Keep your hearing aids in place. A headband isn't the only way to secure your hearing assistance devices when you're working out. You might consider investing in a clip that can connect the device to your clothes if it falls out, or even one that clips directly to your ear for some added stability. 
  • Get your gear fitted. A poorly-fitted helmet, headband, or hood can wreak havoc on your hearing, especially if you're using an older device. They don't need to, though. There's plenty of sporting equipment out there designed specifically with hearing aids in mind. Do a bit of research and shop around, and you're bound to find them. 
  • Don't forget about aftercare. Even if you've taken all the other precautions on the list, you should still clean your hearing aids after exercising. We'd also advise purchasing a dry box in which you can store your hearing aids after they're clean; this helps you rid them of any moisture you might have missed. 
It's challenging to exercise, especially these days. We understand that. But we also know that making excuses does you (and more importantly, your long-term health) no favors. You need to be willing to bite the bullet — and now that you no longer need to worry about your hearing aids, it should be that much easier to do so.