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Waterproof Hearing Aids
Water is no worry with a large selection of tough, durable devices. Sweat, rain and a humid Georgia August are the leading causes of the repairs we see, and sealing is what prevents them.
IN SHORT
Audibel hearing aids carry an IP68 rating, meaning dust-tight and rated for immersion in water under laboratory test conditions. In practice that makes them reliable against sweat, rain and humidity. It does not make them swim-safe: take them out to shower or swim. IP68 is the highest rating in common use, and most current premium hearing aids from the major manufacturers achieve it.
Do not let water get in the way
If you live in a humid climate, spend time on the water, perspire heavily, or have occasionally forgotten you were wearing hearing aids at all, sealing matters more to you than any feature on the brochure.
Between June and September in Cobb County, moisture is the single most common reason devices come in for repair. Salt in sweat corrodes contacts and receivers, and a device that has been damp for weeks fails quietly rather than all at once.
- Sealed against dust and rated for immersion in testing
- Audibel states its devices withstand over 500 hours of high-stress testing
- Sealed rechargeable models have no battery door, which is one less opening for moisture
- Available across the current Audibel lines rather than one premium model
How is waterproof determined?
Most electronic devices carry an Ingress Protection rating, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission. It grades the resistance of an enclosure against the intrusion of dust or liquids, and it is written as IP followed by two digits: the first for dust, the second for water.
Audibel’s waterproof hearing aids have all earned IP68, the highest rating in common use for hearing aids. It is worth being straight about one thing: this is an industry standard rather than something unique to one manufacturer. Most current premium hearing aids from the major makers also achieve IP68. What differs between them is the fitting, not the seal.
| Rating | Dust | Water | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP68 | Dust-tight (6) | Immersion beyond 1 meter to the manufacturer spec (8) | The current standard on Audibel and most premium hearing aids. Handles sweat, rain and humidity. |
| IP57 | Limited dust ingress (5) | Immersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes (7) | An older standard. Still fine against sweat and rain. |
| No rating | Unspecified | Unspecified | Treat as vulnerable. Common on very small in-canal devices. |
So how waterproof are they, really?
Rated is not the same as swimmable, and the word waterproof does more work in marketing than it does in physics. IP ratings come from controlled laboratory tests using fresh, still water. Real water is harder: chlorine, salt, soap and the pressure from a shower head all behave worse than the test.
Do not swim or shower in them. Beyond the water itself, they are likely to fall out and would not be comfortable under water anyway. Manufacturers rate devices to survive an accident, not a routine.
But if you do forget and wear them into the shower, get caught in a downpour, or drop one somewhere wet, there is no need to panic. That is exactly the margin the rating buys you. Dry them properly and bring them in.
If they get soaked
Dry them with a cloth, open the battery door if the model has one, and put them in a drying container overnight. Do not apply heat and do not put a wet rechargeable device on its charger. Corrosion is what actually kills the electronics, and it gets worse the longer it sits, so bring them in if they do not recover.
Waterproof across the Audibel lines
Sealing is not reserved for the top tier. These three lines all carry the IP68 rating, and Intrigue AI does too.
Aris AI
Never miss a meaningful moment. Audibel’s current flagship line, with the longest rated battery life and the fullest feature set.
Signature Series
Clear, true-to-life sound in custom devices fitted from an impression of your own ear to sit discreetly.
Vitality AI
Next-generation connectivity and health features that go beyond amplification, including activity tracking.
Living with humidity in Cobb County
A rating protects the device. A routine protects it better. These six habits prevent most of the moisture repairs we see between June and September.
- Dry them every night. An electronic dehumidifier is the highest-value accessory we sell in this climate.
- Wipe them after exercise or yard work. Sweat is salty, and salt is what corrodes contacts.
- Use sweatbands or covers on behind-the-ear devices if you work outdoors or run.
- Never use heat. No hair dryers, no ovens, and never left on a dashboard.
- Take them out to shower and swim. Use custom swim molds in the water instead.
- Come in before the trip, not after. A blocked filter at an airport is a much bigger problem than one on N Marietta Pkwy.
Common questions
Which hearing aids are waterproof?
All current Audibel lines carry an IP68 rating, including Aris AI, Signature Series, Vitality AI and Intrigue AI. The very smallest invisible-in-canal devices may carry no rating at all, so check before assuming.
What does waterproof mean?
On a hearing aid it means an Ingress Protection rating, usually IP68: dust-tight, and rated for immersion in fresh water under laboratory test conditions. It is closer to water-resistant than genuinely waterproof, which is why every manufacturer including Audibel still tells you not to swim in them.
Is waterproof the same as water resistant?
In everyday marketing the words are used loosely, but the rating is what matters. IP68 is a specific, testable claim. Water resistant on its own, with no IP number attached, tells you very little.
Can I wear waterproof hearing aids while I swim or shower?
No. Take them out. Shower water carries soap and shampoo residue and arrives under pressure, and pool water carries chlorine, none of which the laboratory test covers. They are also likely to fall out. For swimming, wear custom swim molds instead.
What should I do if my hearing aid gets wet?
Dry it with a cloth, open the battery door if it has one, and place it in a drying container overnight. Do not apply heat and do not charge it wet. Bring it in if it does not recover, and sooner rather than later, because corrosion worsens with time.
Will sweat damage my hearing aids?
It can, over time. Salt residue corrodes contacts and receivers. Wipe them down after exercise and dry them nightly and they will last considerably longer, rating or no rating.
Schedule your appointment today
A consultation takes about 45 minutes. If moisture has already caused a problem, bring the devices in and we will look at them the same visit.