A few generations ago, having a disability was mistakenly perceived as a hindrance to athleticism. However, this notion has been inarguably dispelled by the emergence of icons like blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer and New York Yankees star Jim Abbott, who was born without his right hand.
Recently, another athlete who has been proving disability is not an impediment to sports greatness is Taquarius Wair. After receiving third-degree burns during a childhood house fire, Wair went on to lose four fingers and undergo multiple surgeries for his scar tissue. Amid this, the football player has gone on to lead his team to the 2018 2A State Semi-Finals before playing for Mesabi Range College. At the 2020 ESPYs, he was even honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.
One specific disability that has seen some of the biggest leaps in terms of inclusivity in sports is hearing loss, not just in terms of welcoming deaf athletes but also by embracing relevant tech. After all, hearing loss affects over 15% of the entire American population and is among the most common disabilities. Perhaps because of this, more research and innovation have been put into creating technologies that make athletics more accessible. Read on to learn more about these technologies and the role they play in athletics.
The broadening field of more inclusive hearing technology
Hearing aid glasses
Dual sensory loss, or when somebody has significant vision and hearing impairments, is more common than what the public may think. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that up to 2% of the global population can be categorized as such. Similarly, in the US, up to four out of 10 deaf individuals may have vision issues. As such, the introduction of hearing solutions that also address ocular concerns is a game-changer. One such notable release is the hearing aid glasses from Nuance. Designed to create a streamlined intersection between sight and hearing, these glasses are available in two sleek silhouettes. In each arm, an OTC hearing aid is subtly integrated to provide aid to those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Using an app, these glasses can be calibrated to suit personal needs and occasions. For athletes, this can include non-contact matches, training sessions, and even sports conferences where they need to fully immerse themselves in their surroundings.
Sweat-resistant hearing aids
Most deaf athletes are concerned about traditional hearing aids’ vulnerability to moisture. Since hearing aids are full of delicate wiring, any perspiration can drastically impair their integrity and efficacy. To avoid this expensive and frustrating issue, many have turned to sweat-resistant aids, such as the ones from Lexie Lumen. Meant to be a complete hearing solution, these aids use smart technology to save and create personal profiles and connect users with hearing experts. Most notably, though, these are also nano-coated. This means that they’re less susceptible to moisture-related damage. Every set also comes in a container with drying crystals that help wick away any wetness. For particularly sweaty users, those who are in contact sports, or those exposed to more humid environments, the hearing aid dryer can be extra useful.
Portable mini microphones
Most sports rely on auditory cues. For instance, the buzzer indicates how much time is left in a round, or the referee’s whistle calls out fouls. Among athletes who are hard of hearing or deaf, not receiving these cues can impact their performance. With this in mind, interventions like Unite’s mini mics are becoming more popular. Since these can be positioned in specific areas where key sounds come from, they can capture and feed important information right into a user’s hearing aid. Because they bypass going through an FM receiver, neck loop, or another intermediary device, they have a lower latency. This ensures that there are no transmission delays and every detail is heard in real-time.
Main Image Credit: Courtesy Photo
