Waterproof Hearing Aids: Myth or Reality? What to Do If Your Hearing Aids Get Wet

Though I don’t think sliced bread is as big a deal as it used to be, the idea of being able to wear your hearing aids in the shower, the pool, or the hot tub seems pretty promising, right? 

Don’t get too excited just yet. Waterproof hearing aids may not live up to their billing. Just like all hearing aids, if they get wet, there could be significant damage to the high-tech components inside your digital hearing aids. 

I want to dedicate this post to dispelling some of the myths of waterproof hearing aids as well as discussing what to do if your hearing aids get wet. 

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant 

The words waterproof and water-resistant often get used interchangeably. In reality, they are not the same thing. 

For something to be considered waterproof, it must be rated to withstand continuous submersion in water. According to the ratings standards from Ingress Protection marking (IP), Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), and Atmospheres (ATM), for a product to be rated waterproof, manufacturers must prove that the device can be submerged in one meter (three feet) of water for up to 30 minutes and still function normally. 

Water-resistant is a different story. A device, like a modern hearing aid, can be rated as being water-resistant if it can withstand coming into contact with water—without being submerged in it—for the specified time and continue to function. 

Some styles of advanced technology hearing aids are water-resistant, which means they will keep out moisture—for the most part—but the aids will probably not stand up to continuous submersion in water without becoming damaged. 

So, here is the question: Can hearing aids get wet? 

Water-resistant hearing aids were designed to prevent damage to your hearing aids from casual contact with water—like when it rains, if you live in a humid environment, or if water gets splashed on them—not to protect them if they become submerged in water. 

To be safe, it’s better to remove your hearing aids, even if they are water-resistant, when you shower, go swimming, or use a hot tub, sauna, or steam bath. 

What Do I Do If My Water-Resistant Hearing Aid Gets Wet? 

Have you ever dropped your cell phone in the toilet or the bathtub? 

If you have, then you may already know what you’re supposed to do, because the same basic steps are used to deal with wet hearing aids. 

Professional Hearing Aid Support and Troubleshooting 

Can hearing aids get damaged if they get wet? Yes, they can, even if they are water-resistant.