Ask an Expert: Can You Swim With Hearing Aids?

A: Generally, no, but it depends on your device. Most hearing aids are water-resistant, meaning they handle sweat, light rain, or splashes, but water-resistant is not the same as waterproof. Submerging a standard hearing aid in a pool, ocean, or lake can damage its electronics and void your warranty^1,2.

Water poses several risks: it can cause short circuits, chlorine and salt corrode internal components over time, trapped moisture leads to long-term damage, and a hearing aid that comes loose in water can be permanently lost^1,2.

A: IP stands for Ingress Protection, a standardized rating showing how well a device resists dust and water.

The code has two digits: the first covers dust (0 = none, 6 = fully dust-tight); the second covers water (0 = none, 9 = high-pressure jets). An "X" means that category was not tested; not that protection is zero.

For hearing aid wearers, the water digit is what matters most¹.

A: Act quickly: the faster you respond, the better the chance of preventing permanent damage².

Follow these steps: 

A: All three can cause damage, but in different ways: 

• Seawater is the most harmful type of moisture/water exposure. As it dries, it leaves salt crystals that corrode microchips, wiring, and battery contacts. Rinse with fresh water immediately and see your hearing care professional promptly².
• Chlorinated pool water is also very harmful. Chlorine is chemically aggressive and corrodes the microphone, receiver, and battery contacts, leaving mineral deposits as it dries^3,4. Rinsing and immediate drying are essential. 
• Fresh water (rivers, lakes) is less chemically corrosive, but moisture ingress can still cause short circuits and internal damage³.