Hearing impairment is a serious issue threatening the health and quality of life of millions of Americans. Yet, only one-third of Americans with a hearing impairment wear hearing aids. If you’re considering hearing aids for the first time, you may be concerned about waterproof hearing aids. Naturally, you’d like to wear your hearing aids to the pool, beach or even have them survive the occasional shower. Before you start looking for hearing aids that can withstand a swim in the ocean, it’s important to understand the difference between waterproof hearing aids and water-resistant hearing aids. Here’s everything you need to know about waterproof vs. water-resistant hearing aids, as well as a list of our favorite brands, so you can pick the perfect pair.
In truth, fully waterproof hearing devices are practically nonexistent, with the only truly waterproof model being the Aquaris hearing aid from Siemens. Most modern hearing aids are considered to be water resistant, which gives them limited protection from water. For added protection, you can use hearing aid waterproof covers that help to protect the sensitive electronics within the device.
Hearing aid technology has come a long way, with an emphasis on limited water exposure and a high degree of hearing aid moisture protection. Naturally, lab-tested hearing aids may have been submerged in water, but this rarely takes into account the impact of salt water, chlorinated water, or pressurized streams of water. While fully waterproof hearing aids remain rare, most top models provide a high level of protection against rain, sweat, moisture, and even swimming.
Consumers are often confused about the differences between waterproof hearing aids and those labeled water resistant. At first glance, they look like the same thing. However, this is far from the truth. A waterproof hearing aid case, for example, will have 100% protection from water, which means it could also be submerged while keeping water away from sensitive internal electronics.
Water-resistant, on the other hand, will be fine in the rain or under heavy moisture, but water-resistant hearing aids cannot be fully submerged for more than a few seconds without significant damage.
How can you tell how water resistant a hearing aid model is? This is where the IP rating comes into play. Originating from the International Electrotechnical Commission, this two-digit rating describes the degree of protection from debris and water. IP ratings range from one to eight, so a rating of 67 would mean a hearing aid has a strong degree of protection from sand and dust and can also be submerged up to three feet underwater for 30 seconds or less. When searching for the best waterproof hearing aid, discuss IP ratings with your audiologist.
So, what do water-resistant hearing aids protect against?
The majority of hearing aids are water resistant. There is only a single model that is completely waterproof: the Aquaris hearing aid. The waterproof hearing aid case is completely sealed, and the battery door has a tight silicone seal to protect from water, sand, dust, and perspiration. To provide oxygen to the zinc-air batteries inside, a semipermeable membrane keeps water out but still allows air to penetrate.
Lab tests have certified the Aquarius hearing device is able to be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. For the vast majority of people who wear a hearing aid, swimming, boating, and showering without removing the device is now a possibility.
The level of water resistance or waterproofing, as defined by the certified IP rating, will contribute to the overall waterproof hearing aids cost. Whether you invest in one of these hearing aids largely depends on where you live and your lifestyle. Here are some of the top hearing aid models in this category.
Phonak offers a wide variety of hearing aids and is known as one of the most well-known manufacturers of hearing aids in the world. Phonak excels in providing hearing aids for wide ranges of hearing loss while offering a tremendous number of advanced speech enhancements. They are also equipped to connect with Bluetooth devices, thus allowing wearers to enjoy crystal-clear media streaming.
The Phonak Belong series offers the highest IP ratings of any hearing aids in their range. All Belong hearing aids are highly resistant not only to water but to dust, sand, and other debris. They carry a certified IP rating of 68, which means Phonak Belong hearing aids are capable of dealing with splashes, sweating, and even light showers.
Oticon is one of the oldest hearing aid manufacturers, its history dating back to 1904. Over the years, Oticon has developed a reputation for innovation. Its patented BrainHearing technology makes it highly effective at mimicking the natural hearing process.
The Oticon Opn is their latest hearing aid model, and the company boasts about it being one of the most advanced hearing aids in the world. Its high IP rating of 68 means that it can withstand excessive sweating and watersports. For hearing aid wearers who live an active lifestyle, Oticon Opn is the ideal water-resistant hearing aid.
Unitron creates state-of-the-art hearing aids using an evidence-based approach to development. Audiologist evaluations are used to help those with hearing impairments choose the right hearing aids for them. This brand specializes in accompanying its customers with health monitoring and life-enhancing features, such as full Bluetooth connectivity.
All the hearing aids in the Unitron Moxi series carry an IP rating of 68, which is the highest of all the water-resistant hearing device series. Unitron Moxi hearing aids are designed for use in the swimming pool, the shower, and locations with high levels of humidity.
The Siemens Aquaris hearing aid has the distinction of being the only true waterproof hearing aids in the world. Siemens has developed this hearing aid using BestSound technology, which automatically adapts to the listening environment faced by the user. Aquaris wearers are able to hear naturally in difficult hearing environments, such as in the pool and in crowded areas.
The special semi-permeable membrane and completely sealed waterproof hearing aid case are what make this the only completely waterproof hearing aid option on the market today. If you prioritize protection against water, Aquaris is the best option available for you.
Moisture poses the biggest threat to all consumer electronics, including hearing aids. The chip inside your hearing aid is extremely vulnerable to moisture. Damage to hearing aids from too much humidity or moisture levels from sweat are the most common causes, but water damage occurs in other ways, such as showers or swimming.
Exposing your hearing aid to high levels of moisture could compromise its ability to operate at peak performance. Here are some tips for protecting your hearing aids against water damage:
While only one model of truly waterproof hearing aids is available, most hearing aid wearers will find the latest water-resistant models to be more than sufficient. To find the right hearing aids for you, it’s time to schedule your hearing aid consultation first. Speaking to a licensed audiologist will enable you to find the hearing aid that covers your degree of hearing impairment and provide the life-enhancing features you need. Start your journey to better hearing and book your free hearing test with EarPros today.
