Water-Resistant Hearing aids
Summer’s three leading hearing aid killers are sunscreen, sand, and water. If you participate in water activities with hearing aids, taking extra care is essential. Water from a pool or salty seawater can decommission your hearing aid. However, some hearing aids have some protection against low-level water immersion and splashes. Most of today’s hearing aids are water-resistant but not waterproof. This means they can stand up to the occasional splash or two. They shouldn’t need repair if you drop them in the pool (so long as you get them out fast!).
Waterproof v.s water-resistant, which do I need
To understand how resistant your hearing aids are to water, it’s important to find your specific hearing aids’ IP rating.
An IP rating is a two-digit rating from 1 to 8 that defines how resistant your hearing devices are to dust and water. The first number signifies the degree of protection from debris, such as dust or sand, and is rated on a scale of 1-7. The second digit, rated on a scale from 1-9, implies how resistant the electrical device is to moisture. It’s the second digit that dictates how resistant a device is.
For example, a hearing aid with an IP67 rating (one of the most common hearing aids on the current market today). These aids are dust-tight and resistant to up to 1 meter (less than 3 feet) being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. Any number below that means the device can not withstand any immersion. Phonak’s Life (waterproof aid) is IP68, which indicates it can be submerged at a 1.5-meter depth for 30 minutes.
Are water-resistant or waterproof hearing aids right for you?
To figure out if a waterproof hearing aid is in your best interest, you may want to consider the following:
- You live in humid or wet climates or like to participate in water-related activities like boating, fishing, paddleboarding, etc.
- You tend to sweat heavily. If you are constantly wiping sweat from your brow during work or play, chances are your hearing aids are being exposed to more moisture than average.
- You tend to forget to take them off before entering the shower, sauna, or pool.
It’s important to note that unless you are wearing a waterproof aid. You must remove your devices before getting in the pool this summer. Moisture damage is one of the top reasons hearing aids are brought in for service.
Types of waterproof hearing aids
Phonak Audeo Lumity Life
Phonak considers the Audeo Lumity-RL technology platform to provide the ultimate sound quality. It features AutoSense 5.0, which accurately identifies sound environments and automatically adjusts your hearing aids to suit these sound environments. It simultaneously uses both hearing aids to produce truly binaural and lifelike sounds. Best of all, Phonak Audeo L-RL can stream any media, whether phone calls, audiobooks, music, videos, etc. Connect your new Phonak Audeo L-RLs to the optional Phonak TV Connector for great sound directly into your hearing aids.
KEY FEATURES
- Waterproof – ideal for individuals wanting to understand speech, even in physically demanding scenarios or strenuous activity.
- SmartSpeech Technology – automatically adjusts microphone modes to ensure more access to speech from the side and the back. It also improves focus in noise.
- StereoZoom 2.0 (only available in L90 and L70 models) enhances speech; When using the my Phonak app, you can control how much focus should be in front of you, especially in challenging environments. It is designed to balance audibility, loudness, and sound quality.
- Speech Sensor (only available in L90 models)– locates where speech comes from.
ReSound OMNIA
You can enjoy hearing confidence and worry-free daily use with all-day battery power on one charge.* The all-weatherproof designs are IP68 rated with nano coating on ALL components for indoor and outdoor use.
KEY FEATURES
- 360 All-Around Directionality – A new, improved directional microphone system.
- M&RIE Technology – A unique microphone design utilizing a receiver microphone and two standard
- microphones on the hearing aid.
- Check My Fit Feature – A new smart app-based tool that helps wearers know if their hearing aids are correctly placed in/on the ear.
Signia Pure Charge & Go AX
The Signia Pure hearing aid – is the most compact and powerful hearing aid with superior sound quality in every situation. There’s a Signia Pure hearing aid with three great models for everyone. The Signia Pure hearing aids are rated to IP-68, which means they’re moisture and dust resistant to match the needs of your active lifestyle. While they aren’t waterproof, you won’t have to worry about damage because you stay active.
KEY FEATURES
- High-quality own voice processing and speech understanding
- Picks up speech in noise
- Bluetooth connectivity
- IP68-rated resistance to moisture, sweat, dust, and dirt
- Built-in tinnitus therapy feature
Dry hearing aids work best.
If you have hearing aids with a low rating or are unsure if they have a rating, it’s best to avoid exposing them to humidity and liquids. To keep your hearing aids safe from damage, it’s recommended to remove them before showering, bathing, swimming, or being in areas where they may get wet unless you have Phonak Audeo Life. If your hearing aids get wet due to unexpected weather or a shower, carefully wipe them down with a clean, nonporous fiber afterward.
Specific fabrics on the market can remove moisture from your hearing aids after such encounters. Opening the battery door after moisture exposure can also help dry them out. Dehumidifiers designed for hearing aids are available on the market, particularly for those that don’t have a battery door that can be opened. For those who have experienced moisture exposure, placing hearing aids in a sealed plastic bag filled with rice overnight has been an effective method for drawing humidity out of the aids.
To learn more about hearing aid options, contact us at Salem Audiology Clinic.
Sources:
Ideal hearing aids
hearingtracker
hear.com
forbes
hearing aid systems
healthy hearing