Golf and hearing loss: why golf is a great sport for the hearing impaired

Posted by Dr. Stephen Glasser on May 04, 2021

Jordan Fuller, over at Golf Influence, explains why golf is a perfect pastime for those with hearing loss.  

Having optimal hearing is important when playing a round of golf, although golfers who wear hearing aids may find them to be more frustrating than not being able to hear what’s happening around them.

There is good news, though. As technology has advanced, so too have the hearing aids, and golfers won’t have to worry about hearing wind passing over the hearing aid microphones. 

If you’re a golfer with hearing loss, there’s still hope for you to play golf as you normally would. 

How hearing loss affects your game 

When you’re on the golf course, you need to be able to hear what’s happening around you, especially the unexpected “Fore!” If you’ve been playing golf for a long time, then you’d know when you’ve hit a great shot by the sound it makes when the club makes contact with the ball. 

Depending on the type of hearing loss that you’re experiencing, it could also affect your balance. This can affect every aspect of your game, from your set-up to your backswing, and it can throw off your timing, leading to errant tee shots. 

Thankfully, there are steps you can take that will allow you to focus on the game at hand without any frustration. 

Hearing aid technology has advanced 

The hearing aids of today are smaller and more advanced. There are hearing aids that instantly adjust so you can hear clearly even in the most challenging of environments. This includes boosting speech so you can easily hear people with face masks, or hear your teammate over the wind at the 8th hole. 

Some hearing aids pair with your mobile device, which allows you to stream phone calls through the hearing aid. You can even listen to your favorite music if you wanted to while playing a round. 

There are hearing aids that track both your body and brain activity and keep a record of all it. Your hearing aid may even detect if you fall and alert someone if you’re not able to get up. 

Hearing aids have become sleeker and more advanced but they’re still easy to use and they’ll keep you on the golf course even when you’re struggling with hearing impairment. 

Keep your hearing aids safe on the golf course 

Hearing aids can either use a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery, so you’d need to make sure that the battery life would be sufficient for the entire game. Take an umbrella or wear a broad-brimmed hat, in case the weather changes and you get caught in the rain. 

While most hearing aids are water-resistant and shouldn’t be affected by sweat, you’d want to put them in a dehumidifier at night just to be safe. This will help to remove any moisture and keep them in excellent working condition. 

Hearing loss shouldn’t affect your golf game to the point where you can’t play

If you’re an avid golfer who just happens to have some hearing impairment, a good pair of hearing aids will be your best friend on the course!