There are many people in the world who live an active lifestyle and wear hearing aids, so it comes as no surprise that waterproof hearing aids are sought after. Advances in technology have brought us waterproof phones, cameras, and speakers—just to name a few—which begs the question of whether hearing aids can include this technology?

Waterproof hearing aids are designed to function properly, even if they come in contact with water. Unfortunately, even though some hearing aids boast of “water-resistant” technology, most hearing aids are not completely waterproof. That’s why it’s important to note that there is a difference between the two.

Let’s take a look at a few key questions.

Are waterproof hearing aids available now?

Currently, there has only been one design in the hearing aid market that is waterproof. In 2013, Siemens released the Aquaris hearing aids, which were highly waterproof and dustproof. They have since been discontinued, and there are no hearing aids on the market that have waterproof capabilities. 

What is the difference?

With no other hearing aids on the market that are truly waterproof, you might be wondering how water-resistant hearing aids compare. 

“Waterproof” means that it will be 100% protected from water damage, while “water-resistant” means it only has some measure of protection against water. This term is often switched for moisture-resistant, shower-proof, sweatproof, and water repellent, which essentially means you likely won’t have to worry about a stray drop of water throughout the day, but you should leave your hearing aids off for a trip to the pool. Water-resistant hearing aids are highly unlikely to survive being submerged in water, especially for an extended period of time.

Most of the hearing aids on the market today have water-resistant technology, but if this is absolutely important to you—especially if you lead an active lifestyle—it’s essential to double-check the product details. If you see hearing aids that brag about being waterproof, be suspicious, as this likely isn’t the case.

Understanding IP Ratings

While you may not be able to purchase waterproof hearing aids at this time, if water resistance is important to you, you might try looking at the IP Ratings on the hearing aids you’re considering. 

IP Ratings (short for Ingress Protection) measure how well hearing aids repel dust, water, and other foreign substances. The IP is usually followed by two numbers, for example IP68, which assesses an aid’s ability to resist solid particles and ability to resist liquid particles, respectively. The number that measures the ability to resist solid particles ranges from 0 to 6, and the number that measures the ability to resist liquid ranges from 0 to 9. 

In terms of water protection, the meaning of each number is as follows:

0: No resistance

1: Resists vertical droplets

2: Resists water droplets falling at a 15-degree angle

3: Resists droplets at up to a 60-degree angle

4: Resists splashing water from any angle

5: Resists blasting water for up to 3 minutes

6: Resists high-pressure water for up to three minutes

7: Resists damage from submersion for up to 30 minutes at 1 meter / 3 feet

8: Resists damage from submersion for up to 60 minutes at 1 meter / 3 feet.

Are Lexie hearing aids water-resistant?

While waterproof hearing aids are not yet available to consumers, the second number on an IP rating is a great place to look if you’re hoping to have some peace of mind when it comes to water protection on hearing aids. Lexie hearing aids have a rating of IP67, meaning they’re highly water-resistant compared to other options on the market. With their sweatproof technology, Lexiehearing aids are a great option for people living an active lifestyle.

Lexie hearing aids are available to purchase directly online and come with a 45-day risk-free trial.