Pilates for People Who Are Hard-of-Hearing

For individuals with hearing loss, things like daily chores, errands, and activities can be challenging. Another vital pastime that people who are hard-of-hearing may have trouble participating in is physical activity.

A study published in the Speech, Language and Hearing journal found that middle- and older-aged adults with hearing loss are typically at greater risk of being diagnosed with non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. At the same time, adults with hearing loss are less physically active and exhibit greater declines in physical functioning, making them more susceptible to these health issues. For example, a study of adults aged 60 to 69 found that those with hearing loss engaged in almost 30 minutes less daily physical activity than those without.

Fortunately, there are many low-impact exercises that can help adults who are hard-of-hearing stay active and moving without exerting too much energy or relying on their sensory disability, such as Pilates. In this post, we'll look at the potential barriers to practicing Pilates for people who are hard-of-hearing and share some tips to overcome these barriers:

Sensory barriers to practicing Pilates

As explained in our introduction, adults who are hard-of-hearing tend to participate in less physical activity than others. There are many potential reasons for this. For one, not being able to hear one's surroundings well can make it hard to properly follow Pilates instructions, whether in-person or through video.

Additionally, there may be social aspects affected by a person's hearing loss. A British Journal of Health Psychology study found that, in both adolescents and adults with hearing loss, physical activity participation is influenced by an individual's interaction with their social environment. For example, earlier studies indicate that adolescents and young adults felt that the stigma around their hearing loss was a key barrier to participating in physical activity.

Case in point, many study participants reported they feared that people being aware of their hearing difficulties would lead them to be treated differently. For example, many felt they were judged and stigmatized when others noticed their hearing aids. Moreover, this fear of stigma led to those who were physically active to avoid disclosing their hearing loss. As a result, some resorted to engaging in physical activities alone.

On the other hand, group physical activities also offer a chance for adults with hearing loss to find community and connect with likeminded individuals. For example, a 2014 study found that, in young- and middle-aged adults, getting to meet and engage with others who have a hearing loss was a motivating factor for participating in dance class.

Tips for hard-of-hearing people doing Pilates

When practicing Pilates, support and accessibility tools can be significantly useful. Of course, while many hard-of-hearing adults dread the stigma of being seen wearing hearing aids, many hearing aid companies and tech startups have begun investing in ways to go around this.

Hearing tech solution company Nuance Audio recently unveiled its "new invisible hearing solution" in the form of hearing glasses. These glasses help the wearer hear better in noisy environments. Currently, Nuance markets the hearing glasses for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The glasses also come in sleek, stylish frames in shiny black and burgundy colorways. For those who don't like being seen wearing conventional hearing aids, Nuance's glasses offer a stylish way out that can fit low-impact workouts like Pilates well, while ensuring they can hear instructions better.

Another tech company disrupting the hearing aid market is Apple, which recently released the AirPod Pro 2, which doubles as a hearing aid. Many have praised this move for making hearing aid solutions more accessible, as they aren't very expensive compared to traditional amplification and hearing technology. Like the aforementioned Nuance glasses, the AirPod Pro 2 is also a convenient, over-the-counter option.

Finally, it can also help to ensure you are able to practice Pilates in an open and safe environment. In our post on "Developing a Home Workout Plan Involving Pilates", we highlighted the importance of setting up a dedicated space for Pilates. This includes creating a calm and clutter-free environment with comfortable flooring to ensure that you aren't accidentally bumping into your surroundings.