Whether you’re simply forgetful and often step into the shower with your hearing aids in or lead an active lifestyle near water, there are many reasons to consider waterproof hearing aids. For a hearing aid to be completely and totally waterproof, you would be able to completely submerge it in water for prolonged periods of time without it becoming damaged – such as during your daily swim. Unfortunately, there are currently no 100% waterproof hearing aids on the market. In 2013, Siemens introduced the Aquaris, the first truly waterproof hearing aid but has since discontinued the product.
While there are no waterproof hearing aids, there are many water-resistant hearing aids that are a great option for anyone worried about their hearing aid getting wet.
Understanding Water & Dust Resistant Hearing Aids and IP Ratings
Almost all modern hearing aids have been tested by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to determine how well they resist water, dust and debris. To keep things consistent, the IEC uses what’s called an “Ingress Protection” rating, or IP.
An IP is a two-digit number that indicates it’s resistant to the elements. The first digit in the number is based how well the device resists dirt, debris, dust or other physical particles. The ratings range from 1-7 with 7 being the highest degree of durability.
The second number in the IP represents how well the device resists water. This number ranges from 1-9 with 9 meaning the hearing aid was not damaged after being submerged at a depth of one meter for a prolonged period of time.
For example, if a hearing aid has an IP rating of 67, it is resistant to dust and debris and can withstand being submerged in clean water for about 30 minutes without becoming damaged. The higher each digit on the IP rating, the more resistant the hearing aid.
It is important to note that these laboratory tests are done in very controlled settings with purified water and no other interventions such as hearing aid movement. Because of this, it is not recommended that you submerge your hearing aid for any reason, or any length of time.
Three of the Best Water-Resistant Hearing Aids
Phonak Belong Platform – The Belong platform by Phonak is a family of hearing aids that can reach a wide range of hearing profiles and degrees of hearing loss. All hearing aids on the Belong platform boast an IP rating of 68, meaning they are very highly resistant to dust and debris as well as sand. In terms of water resistance, they are also rated very highly and will be able to withstand water exposure including large splashes, accidental shower entrances, and sweat during heavy exercise.
Oticon Opn – The Open (pronounced open) by Oticon is their newest and most advanced hearing aid. The hearing aid has been clinically proven to reduce listening effort in noisy environments thanks to their patented BrainHearing technology. The Opn also has an IP rating of 68, meaning it can also withstand water exposure from daily activities or even more adventurous activities such as hiking or exercise in humid environments.
Unitron Moxi – Almost all of the hearing aids in the Moxi family, including the Moxi All, Moxi Now, Moxi Fit, and Moxi Dura are also highly rated with an IP of 68. The only member of the family with a lower rating is the Moxi Kiss with an IP rating of 57. Moxi All is the newest addition to the Unitron family and boasts the ability to wirelessly connect and stream from any phone, not just iPhones and is also rechargeable.
Protecting Your Hearing Aids
Even if you do end up with hearing aids that have an IP rating of 68 (the highest rating for hearing aids) it is still important to protect your hearing aids from dirt and moisture as much as possible. Leave your hearing aids in the bedroom when you shower because even outside of the shower the bathroom tends to fill up with steam and moisture. Keep your hearing aids out of direct contact with water whenever you can.
If your hearing aids do come into contact with water, it is good practice to remove them and wipe them with a clean and dry cloth as soon as possible. Should your hearing aids require repair or maintenance, contact us at Hearing Wellness Solutions. Our team is experienced in caring for your hearing devices.