Can You Swim With Hearing Aids? Waterproof Hearing Aids Explained

TL;DR: Most hearing aids resist water. They don’t survive it. IP68 is the highest rating available and handles accidental splashes, sweat, and brief submersion without drama. Lap swimming is a different story entirely. No current prescription hearing aid is swim-safe. If moisture matters to your lifestyle, some models handle it far better than others. We’ve got the details.

Hearing aids and water have a complicated relationship. You bought a device that cost as much as a decent used car. Now you’re wondering if the pool is going to destroy it. Fair question. Take your hearing aids out before you swim. That’s the short answer. The longer answer, naturally, is more interesting than that.

Here’s what actually matters: not all hearing aids handle moisture the same way. Understanding that difference can help you choose devices that fit your life. Take our free online hearing test as a first step, then read on.

What “Waterproof” Actually Means for Hearing Aids

The word “waterproof” gets thrown around in hearing aid marketing the way “natural” gets used on grocery packaging: technically it means something, but probably not what you’re picturing.

Every hearing aid claiming water protection carries an IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection. The International Electrotechnical Commission developed these ratings using a two-digit system. Each digit covers one category: the first measures solid particle resistance (dust, debris) from 0 to 6. Liquid resistance occupies the second digit, on a scale of 0 to 9.

The gold standard for hearing aids is IP68, which means:

• Completely dust-tight (first digit: 6)
• Surviving continuous water immersion at one meter depth for at least 30 minutes (second digit: 8)

That sounds impressively aquatic. In practice: survive the sink, power through a sweaty workout, laugh off light rain. It does not mean they’re ready for lap swimming.

Here’s why: IP testing happens in clean, still water under controlled lab conditions. A pool adds chlorine, pressure, and enough force to dislodge a device from your ear. Salt water is worse. It leaves mineral deposits inside the device after drying. The IP68 rating is a reliability net, not a swim pass.

IP Rating Quick Reference

IP Rating	What It Means	Real-World Example
IPX4	Splash-resistant from any direction	Getting caught in light rain
IP57	Dust-resistant, survives 1m submersion for 30 min	Accidentally dropped in pool
IP67	Dust-tight, 1m submersion for 30 min	Dropped in sink or puddle
IP68	Dust-tight, continuous immersion at 1m+	Active lifestyle, sweat, rain
IP68+	Exceeds IP68 in manufacturer’s own testing	Some premium models only

Can You Swim With Hearing Aids?

Honest answer: no, not safely with any current prescription hearing aid on the market.

Even Starkey puts it plainly: swimming with any hearing aid is never recommended. Starkey markets the Omega AI as waterproof and has the testing to back it up. These devices repel water, sweat, and dust during daily life. They don’t handle sustained submersion during physical activity. There’s also a practical problem beyond the electronics: hearing aids fall out underwater. Your pool doesn’t care about your IP rating.

Real differences exist. One device panics at a morning drizzle. Another handles beach days without blinking. If you lead an active life, moisture-resistance tier genuinely matters.

Four Things That Are Quietly Destroying Your Hearing Aids

Your devices can handle a lot. Here’s what they can’t.

Chlorine and salt water are more corrosive than clean tap water. Repeated pool or ocean exposure degrades seals, internal components, and coatings over time. Even IP68 can’t hold that off forever. One accidental dip with a well-rated device probably won’t cause permanent damage. A summer of swim practice is a different calculation entirely.

Pressure and movement during swimming creates water force that static immersion testing never accounts for. Diving, flip turns, and vigorous splashing push water against microphone openings. A quiet lab test can’t replicate that. IP ratings don’t simulate a cannonball.

Sweat is the most underrated villain in this story. It carries salts and oils that work into microphone and receiver ports. Unlike water, they don’t evaporate cleanly. IP68 earns its keep right here: daily workouts, humid climates, people who simply run warm.

Heat and humidity in saunas and steam rooms degrade hearing aids faster than most people expect. High heat attacks battery chemistry and the plastics holding everything together, even on well-sealed devices. Leave your hearing aids outside the steam room. They’ll wait.

How to Not Ruin Your Hearing Aids Near Water

If you’re going to be near water, here’s the practical playbook:

• Remove aids before swimming, showering, or bathing. Non-negotiable for device longevity.
• Use a dehumidifier or drying case overnight, especially if you sweat during the day or live somewhere that feels like a terrarium. Most rechargeable hearing aids sit in a charging case overnight anyway. A case with drying capability is worth the upgrade.
• Wipe them down after heavy sweat or rain. A soft, dry cloth is enough. The hair dryer is not your friend here.
• If they get soaked, turn them off immediately. Pull the battery if your model has one. Wipe dry, then let them air out in a drying case before powering back up.
• Pool days and beach days: Leave aids at home or in a safe dry case. A $30 dehumidifier costs a lot less than a service visit. Considerably less than replacing the device entirely.

Our warranty page covers what standard manufacturer coverage includes and what it quietly doesn’t.

The Most Water-Resistant Hearing Aids We Carry

Need hearing aids that can genuinely keep up with an active, sweat-heavy, or meteorologically hostile lifestyle? These three models stand out.

Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio Ultra

The Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio Ultra carries an IP68+ rating, which means Phonak puts it through over 135 individual stress tests that exceed standard IP68 requirements. Independent testing confirmed it survived continuous immersion at one meter for 60 minutes. That “+” isn’t marketing padding. It reflects real-world resilience beyond what the standard demands.

The Sphere also sets the benchmark for speech clarity in noise. Credit goes to its dual-chip DEEPSONIC architecture. Rain-soaked commutes, sweaty gym sessions, and summer humidity are non-events for this device.

Explore Phonak hearing aids to see the full Infinio lineup.

ReSound Vivia

The ReSound Vivia carries an IP68 rating and an all-weatherproof nanocoating applied to every part of the device, not just the shell. It also happens to be the world’s smallest rechargeable AI hearing aid. Remarkable feat, considering it packs a dedicated deep neural network chip alongside all that moisture protection. Small, sealed, and surprisingly tough.

The Vivia’s compact size means it’s less likely to stay put during high-impact activity. Slightly larger RIC devices have an edge there. For everyday weather, workouts, and demanding environments, it holds up well. Active Auracast streaming support makes it as connected as it is resilient.

Starkey Omega AI

The Starkey Omega AI goes furthest in our lineup on water protection specifically. Starkey’s proprietary HydraShield Pro10 coating covers the exterior shell. Per accelerated aging tests, it lasts ten times longer than previous-generation waterproof coatings. It carries an IP68+ rating and cleared testing well beyond standard IP requirements.

For joggers and outdoor workers, the Omega AI is the toughest prescription hearing aid we carry. It also pairs that durability with the industry’s longest rechargeable battery life: up to 51 hours. No juggling charging and drying routines every night.

Learn more about the full Starkey hearing aid lineup.

Water Resistance at a Glance

Model	IP Rating	Notable Durability Feature	Swim-Safe?
Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio Ultra	IP68+	135 stress tests, 60-min immersion at 1m	No
ReSound Vivia	IP68	All-weatherproof nanocoating on all parts	No
Starkey Omega AI	IP68+	HydraShield Pro10 coating, accelerated aging tests	No

No prescription hearing aid is swim-safe. These ratings protect against life, not laps.

What to Actually Look for When Shopping With Moisture in Mind

Water resistance is worth thinking about at every stage of the buying process, not just if you’re training for a triathlon.

How active is your daily life? Outdoor work, regular exercise, or humidity make IP68+ worth it. The specs are not marketing. They’re not.

Rechargeable vs. disposable batteries. Rechargeable models tend to seal better overall. No battery door means one fewer entry point for moisture. Most IP68+ devices use rechargeable batteries for exactly this reason.

Hearing aid style. Receiver-in-canal (RIC) devices sit a receiver in a warm, moist ear canal. Nightly drying matters regardless of IP rating. Behind-the-ear models with tubing can collect moisture in the tubing itself. Both styles handle it fine with proper maintenance. Neither handles neglect.

Manufacturer testing. Some brands go meaningfully beyond the IP68 standard with proprietary programs. Phonak’s 135-test system and Starkey’s HydraShield coating reflect durability the IP label alone doesn’t capture. That matters when you’re sweating through your third workout of the week.

Our hearing aid shopping guide covers the full decision framework for the bigger picture.

Ready to Find the Right Fit for Your Life?

Durability is one piece of the puzzle. Getting the right devices, programmed correctly for your hearing and lifestyle, makes the real difference. Our product specialists help you narrow down the right model for your hearing and your life. Licensed hearing care providers handle all the fitting and fine-tuning remotely, with unlimited adjustments included.

No clinic visits, no waiting rooms, no restocking fees if the 60-day trial doesn’t work for you.

Talk to our team to get started.

Swim Smarter: Your Questions Answered

Are there any hearing aids that you can swim with?

No prescription hearing aid currently handles swimming. Even IP68-rated devices can’t handle the pressure, movement, and chemical exposure of pool or ocean swimming. Starkey, Phonak, and other major manufacturers say so explicitly in their care guidelines. Remove your hearing aids before you get in the water. The pool will still be there when you get out.

Can you wear hearing aids in the swimming pool?

Technically yes, but no manufacturer recommends it. Chlorinated pool water is more corrosive than the still, clean water used in IP testing. Physical movement pushes water into microphone openings in ways static lab tests don’t replicate. Hearing aids also fall out when submerged, which is its own kind of bad day. Leave them on the pool deck.

What is the most water-resistant hearing aid?

The Starkey Omega AI and Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio Ultra both carry IP68+ ratings. Both exceed standard IP68 through proprietary testing. Starkey adds HydraShield Pro10 coating; Phonak runs over 135 individual stress tests. Both handle demanding daily use, not swimming. Nobody does swimming.

How do I protect my hearing aids while swimming?

Remove them before you enter the water. Store them in a dry case, not on a poolside table where splashing can reach them. Want to follow poolside conversations without your aids in? A remote microphone worn by your companion streams audio directly to your devices. They stay safely stowed.

What happens if hearing aids get wet?

Turn them off immediately. Pull the battery if your model has one. Wipe them dry with a soft cloth, then place them in a dehumidifier or drying case. Skip the hair dryer, microwave, and any heat source. Heat causes its own damage. If sound quality doesn’t return after drying, contact our service team at (913) 871-2105.

What can you not do with hearing aids in?

Beyond swimming and showering, remove hearing aids before saunas, steam rooms, hair products, and MRIs. Skip sleeping in them too, unless your model supports overnight wear. Check your device’s care guide for the full list. Our licensed hearing care providers are available for questions any time after your fitting.

Are waterproof hearing aids worth it?

For most people, yes. Daily life involves sweat, humidity, rain, and the occasional surprise even without a gym membership. An IP68-rated device gives you a meaningful margin of error that lower-rated models don’t. For active users, outdoor workers, or anyone in a humid climate, moisture protection isn’t a luxury. It’s just practical. Explore our waterproof hearing aids article and our waterproof hearing aid guide for more detail.