Let’s face it: life is wet. Whether you’re caught in a surprise downpour or breaking a sweat on your morning jog, moisture is lurking. And it loves to sneak into your hearing aids like it owns the place. That’s why we’re making the case—for your wallet, your ears, and your sanity—why you really do need waterproof hearing aids.
Table of Contents
Toggle1. You Sweat Like a Champion (Even When You’re Just Watching TV)
Sweat isn’t reserved for marathons. Sometimes it happens when you’re simply existing in the summer.
- Sweat is salty, acidic, and absolutely vicious to electronics.
- Most hearing aids sit behind or inside your ear—prime sweat real estate.
- A waterproof hearing aid uses nano-coatings and sealed compartments to stop sweat in its tracks.
- Without that barrier, sweat causes corrosion, battery damage, and short circuits.
Add in hormonal changes, hot flashes, intense workouts, or just yard work, and the sweat starts flowing. Waterproof hearing aids offer a durable line of defense so your hearing doesn’t short-circuit just because you chose to move.
If you find yourself wiping your brow during dinner, a waterproof hearing aid isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
2. Humidity is a Lifestyle, Not a Season
Humidity is invisible but destructive. It seeps in and lingers like that one relative who never leaves.
- Moisture in the air can sneak into ports, microphones, and battery compartments.
- Even when you’re not sweating or swimming, humidity is working overtime on your devices.
- IP68-rated hearing aids are tightly sealed against vapor and fine mist.
And don’t think humidity only affects tropical climates. Summer in Chicago, spring in New Orleans, and monsoon season in the Southwest all come with high moisture levels that compromise electronics. Over time, humidity can create condensation inside your hearing aids—especially when moving between air conditioning and outdoor heat.
This is especially crucial if you live in places like the Gulf Coast, Southeast U.S., or pretty much anywhere that feels like a sauna in July.
3. Rain is Not a Gentle Mist—It’s a Hearing Aid Ambush
One moment you’re enjoying a walk. The next? You’re starring in your own wet t-shirt contest.
- A sudden downpour can destroy non-waterproof hearing aids.
- IP68-rated aids like Starkey Edge AI or ReSound Vivia can survive rain exposure without damage.
- Still, it’s smart to wipe them down after any wet weather adventure.
Water damage doesn’t always show up immediately. Sometimes the corrosion creeps in slowly, causing distorted sound, static, or sudden power failures days later. That’s why it’s critical to be proactive: choose waterproof devices and always dry them thoroughly after getting caught in the rain.
If you’re going to face the elements, make sure your hearing aids can face them too.
4. You’ve “Accidentally” Showered with Them. More Than Once.
You didn’t mean to. But here you are, shampooing with $3,000 technology in your ears.
- Even forgetfulness shouldn’t cost you functional hearing aids.
- Waterproof devices with IP68 ratings survive brief accidental immersions.
- Phonak Audéo Life and Sphere Infinio are designed to bounce back from these moments.
Showers are notorious for sneaky moisture exposure. Even if you don’t step in with your hearing aids, the steam can seep into less-protected devices. Waterproof hearing aids resist this humidity—but always dry them after exposure.
So the next time you’re humming in the shower and hear better than usual—don’t panic. Just towel off and keep moving.
5. Your Hobbies Include Sweat, Water, and the Occasional Fish Splash
You’re an outdoorsy person. Or maybe you’re just prone to chaotic hydration events.
- Activities like boating, gardening, or hiking create constant exposure to the elements.
- Add sunscreen, bug spray, and salty air to the mix, and things get messy.
- Waterproof hearing aids offer peace of mind when you’re busy living your life.
These hobbies come with the territory: damp hands, wet hair, ocean spray, garden hoses, and yes, fish flopping wildly at your feet. IP68-rated devices let you enjoy your lifestyle without tiptoeing around the moisture.
Because no one should have to choose between adventure and clear hearing.
Find out more about exercising with hearing aids.
6. You’re Basically a Human Raincloud
Some folks glisten. You sweat like you mean it.
- Excess perspiration is more than just a personal inconvenience—it’s a tech hazard.
- Moisture mixes with earwax, creating blockages and corrosion.
- Waterproof hearing aids, plus daily cleaning and dehumidifiers, keep the damage at bay.
Heavy sweaters, athletes, and anyone with high body heat need protection. If you’re dripping at the gym or sweating through your hat during errands, standard devices won’t cut it. Waterproof hearing aids will.
And yes, there are sweatbands made just for hearing aids. You’re not alone.
7. Moisture = Repairs = $$$
Moisture is the silent killer of hearing aids. You don’t see the damage until it’s too late.
- Repairs for water damage often aren’t covered under basic warranties.
- Downtime from repairs means struggling to hear conversations, phones, and life.
- Prevention (i.e., waterproof hearing aids) costs a lot less than replacement.
Moisture can fry internal circuits, distort microphones, and ruin battery contacts. That’s why many providers strongly recommend hearing aid dryers or dehumidifiers. But the best line of defense? Devices designed to block water from the start.
You wouldn’t leave your phone out in the rain. Your hearing aids deserve the same respect.
8. Not All Waterproof Ratings Are Created Equal
Welcome to the world of IP ratings. It’s like a secret code to your hearing aid’s superpowers.
- “IP” stands for Ingress Protection. Two numbers follow it.
- The first number (0-6) rates protection against solids like dust.
- The second number (0-9) rates protection against liquids.
- IP68 means dustproof and protected against continuous water immersion.
IP ratings are set by the IEC, a worldwide standards organization. They put hearing aids through some pretty wild tests—including high-pressure water jets and 30-minute dunk tanks. The higher the number, the better the protection.
Most top models today—like ReSound Nexia or Phonak Sphere Infinio—carry the IP68 badge. That means less stress, more reliability.
9. Your Hearing Aids Deserve to Live Their Best (Longest) Life
You’re not buying hearing aids to replace them in a year.
- Moisture protection extends the lifespan of all those tiny components inside.
- It also keeps performance consistent over time, preventing static and distortion.
- Regular use of a drying kit boosts longevity even further.
Think of moisture like rust: invisible at first but slowly eating away at your investment. Waterproof hearing aids reduce the risks and ensure the device you love lasts longer.
It’s like dental floss for your hearing aids. Preventive care = fewer surprises.
10. Because One Rogue Sprinkler Can Ruin Everything
You’re walking the dog. Suddenly, PSSHHHT! It’s sprinkler roulette.
- Waterproof hearing aids handle these random attacks with grace.
- Nano-sealed circuits mean you won’t be Googling “emergency hearing aid fix” in your car.
- Just wipe them down, let them dry, and go on with your day.
You don’t even need a full dunk to do damage. A splash from a puddle or someone else’s iced coffee can be enough. IP68-rated aids give you more room for error and less panic when the unexpected happens.
Because even your technology deserves a fighting chance.
How Are IP Ratings Tested? (And Why They Matter)
IP ratings are set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and they don’t mess around.
- Devices are placed in controlled environments filled with dust or sprayed with pressurized water.
- For liquid protection, the device might be immersed in water or blasted with jets.
- The goal: see if moisture or particles breach the casing.
- Higher ratings, like IP68, mean that the hearing aid passed these brutal tests.
For example:
- IP67 = fully dust tight, water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
- IP68 = fully dust tight, survives longer or deeper immersion (manufacturer-specific conditions).
These ratings are consistent across electronics, not just hearing aids. So you can trust the number, not just the brand marketing.
Phonak, Starkey, and ReSound: Waterproof Champions
Some hearing aids go above and beyond IP68. These three manufacturers lead the charge.
Phonak Sphere Infinio
- IP68+ rated: passed 10,000+ hours of durability testing.
- Can survive splashes, sweat, and brief immersion.
- Uses an AI chip for real-time noise filtering and superior sound clarity.
- Rechargeable with 16 hours of battery life.
Phonak also puts their devices through high-pressure simulations, drop tests, and moisture chambers.The Sphere Infinio is designed for people who don’t want to pause life for their hearing aids.
Learn more about the Phonak Sphere Infinio.
Starkey Edge AI
- IP68+ with 8 moisture barriers and salt fog resistance.
- Tested with chlorine, saltwater, and high temps.
- Features a Neuro Processor for 13 dB better speech clarity.
- Integrated biosensors track fitness, falls, and social engagement.
Starkey’s custom torture testing goes beyond the standard IEC protocols. They mimic sweat, rain, and even accidental saltwater exposure to ensure Edge AI can handle real life—not just a lab environment.
Compare the Starkey Edge Ai and the Phonak Sphere Infinio.
ReSound Omnia
- IP68-rated all-weatherproof casing.
- Nano-coating on every component.
- All-day battery life up to 30 hours.
- Dual-chip tech boosts speech clarity in noise.
- Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast streaming.
ReSound is known for designing sleek hearing aids that disappear behind the ear but stand up to the elements. Omnia blends style with serious waterproof protection.
Each of these brands has made water resistance a key part of their design—so you can focus on hearing, not hovering over puddles.
Ready to Upgrade?
Contact Injoy Hearing to find the best waterproof hearing aids for your lifestyle. We’ll help you choose the right device, protection level, and accessories—so you can enjoy sound without limits.
Stay dry. Be connected. Stay Injoy.