Water Damage Despite Water Resistance?

Even if hearing aids are waterproof, that doesn't mean they're protected from all types of moisture

Temperatures are rising, and summer is just around the corner. For sports enthusiasts and water lovers, that means swimming, surfing, and going for a dip!

Even people who wear hearing aids don’t have to miss out on the sunny fun. Modern devices with splash protection and waterproof models can withstand water just fine! Unfortunately, however, the high humidity during the hot summer months and the body’s own sweat can cause problems.

With a few simple tricks, though, you can effectively prevent permanent damage to your hearing aid.

Summer temperatures aren’t just perfect for lounging in the sun—they’re also great for diving, swimming, and playing water polo. If you have a hearing loss and wear a hearing aid, you certainly shouldn’t have to miss out on these activities. That’s why it’s best to let your hearing care professional know during your initial consultation about the sports activities you’d like to pursue, so you can find the best possible solution for you and your hearing. After all, a runner has different needs from a swimmer or surfer when it comes to a hearing system.

Once you’ve chosen a hearing aid, you have the option of removing it before exercising or taking special precautions to prevent damage. One such precaution is wearing so-called “sport clips,” which allow you to secure your hearing aids behind your ear. This prevents the devices from shifting, even during extreme sports involving high wind speeds and intense physical exertion. For swimmers and other water sports enthusiasts, there are models with special coatings that are water-repellent or even waterproof.

Water-Resistant Hearing Aids

Splash-proof hearing aids are already suitable for some water sports. Since it’s important to protect your ears from bacteria and salt water while sailing, it’s recommended to use a custom-made splash guard for your device. This also helps prevent distraction from loud noises and promotes concentration.

Water-resistant hearing aids, on the other hand, feature a special coating and membranes at the device openings that keep water out while still allowing sound waves to pass through and be transmitted. This allows wearers to enjoy a good listening experience while surfing or whitewater rafting, for example. These devices must have an IP68 certification.

There is a significant difference between hearing aids that are merely water-resistant and those that are truly waterproof. The latter are much more expensive but also more durable than conventional models, since you can actually take a shower while wearing them without damaging the sensitive electronics.

However, even they do not offer 100 percent protection against moisture. As a result, you should not expose your hearing aids to extreme conditions and should always try to protect them.

If you want to play it safe, simply remove your hearing aid before swimming or diving. The best place to store it is in a case in a dry, shaded spot. That’s because not only moisture but also excessive heat can damage hearing aids. That’s why you shouldn’t leave them in the car, as the interior of a vehicle can get very hot very quickly.

If a hearing aid does get wet, it’s best to clean it with a cleaning cloth and the appropriate care product. It can also be placed in a “drying box” overnight.

However, if the hearing aids have fallen into water, you should take them to a hearing care professional. They can assess whether any damage has occurred and may even offer loaner devices to bridge the repair period, so that users do not have to go without good hearing in the meantime.

Sweat and Humidity—The Enemies of Hearing Aids

According to manufacturers, however, most devices don’t break because they’ve accidentally fallen into water, but rather because of the greatest enemies of these sensitive systems: condensation and sweat!

In the summer, condensation forms due to the fluctuation between higher temperatures during the day and lower temperatures at night. Since hearing aids have openings in the microphone, receiver, and battery compartment—which are necessary for them to function—moisture can easily penetrate these areas—even if the devices are water-resistant and equipped with ultra-fine seals and protective membranes. This is because humidity enters the sensitive devices along with the air through the narrowest slits in the casing and accumulates there.

This results in a wafer-thin film that often dries out, but can also accumulate over time into a quantity that, while still thin, is harmful to the advanced electronics. This film can then lead to short circuits, system malfunctions, and corrosion.

Incidentally, the problem of condensation also affects waterproof hearing aids. Humidity can gradually penetrate even these devices and settle on the electronic components. However, the risk of this happening is significantly lower.

Sweat is worse than water. Sweat can literally corrode the hearing aid, as its unique properties and acidic pH value of 4.5 make it more corrosive than pure water. When carried into a hearing aid in minute quantities from the air, acidic sweat can damage the connections and chips to such an extent that the devices must be repaired by a specialist.

"Drying boxes" extend the life of hearing aids

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to effectively prevent damage caused by sweat and humidity. If you open the battery compartment overnight and remove the batteries, any accumulated moisture can escape. However, if removing the batteries isn’t possible or if you’re looking for a more effective solution, you can instead place your hearing aid in a specially designed drying device overnight.

These so-called “drying boxes” are silent and energy-efficient. They reliably dry and disinfect hearing aids using UV light and heat and are available at affordable prices from various suppliers. Hearing care professionals are also happy to advise on different drying systems.

If that’s still not enough for you, you can have your hearing aid professionally cleaned from time to time. Even with careful handling and regular maintenance, it’s not always possible to remove 100 percent of the dust and dirt on your own.