Can I Wear Hearing Aids at the Beach or Pool? Best Practices

Living on this stretch of the Gulf Coast means the beach isn’t a vacation destination. It’s part of life.

Whether it’s a morning walk on the sand, an afternoon by the community pool or a weekend out on the water, life here revolves around being outside. Sun and saltwater are simply part of living on the Gulf Coast.

If you wear hearing aids, it’s natural to have questions about wearing them around water. The answer depends on what you’re doing and the type of device you wear.

Some activities are perfectly fine with your devices in place, while others call for a little extra care. Knowing what your hearing aids can handle and when it’s best to take them out makes it easier to enjoy time at the beach, the pool or out on the water.

How Water and Sand Affect Hearing Aids

Water and sand affect hearing aids in different ways. Both can interfere with how the devices perform. Moisture can work its way into small openings and internal components.

That may affect sound quality or cause the hearing aids to stop working until they dry. Saltwater adds another concern because it can leave behind residue after the water evaporates.

Even hearing aids with water-resistant features aren’t designed to be submerged or exposed to moisture for long periods. Sand creates a different set of challenges.

Fine grains can settle into microphone ports, receiver openings and other small spaces. That can block sound or interfere with the way the hearing aids work.

Windy beach conditions make this more likely, especially if hearing aids are handled with sandy hands or placed on a towel or beach chair.

Risks That Hearing Aids Face at the Beach or Pool

The beach and the pool expose hearing aids to more than water alone. Heat, humidity, sand, sunscreen and frequent changes between dry and wet conditions all become part of the environment.

Even setting your hearing aids down for a few minutes while swimming creates the chance for them to be covered by a towel, buried in the sand or knocked onto a hard surface.

Temperature changes can also affect hearing aids. Moving between air-conditioned buildings and hot, humid air may create condensation inside the devices, even without direct contact with water.

Sunscreen, lotion and insect repellent can leave residue on the outside of hearing aids or collect around small openings during normal handling. Wind can also carry fine sand into places that aren’t always easy to see.

Time at the beach or pool usually involves more movement than a typical day. Taking off sunglasses, adjusting a hat or drying your face with a towel can shift a hearing aid without you realizing it.

Swimming, paddleboarding, boating and beach games create even more opportunities for a hearing aid to become loose or fall out.

Noticing Signs That Water Has Damaged Your Hearing Aid

Water doesn’t always stop a hearing aid from working right away. You may first notice small changes in the way it sounds or performs before it stops working altogether.

Common signs include:

• • Sound that cuts in and out
  • Lower volume than usual
  • Crackling, distorted or muffled sound
  • Whistling or feedback that wasn’t there before
  • A hearing aid that won’t turn on or stay powered on

Understanding IP Ratings for Water Protection in Devices

The second refers to water. Higher numbers indicate that the device has passed more demanding testing. They don’t mean the device is waterproof in every situation.

For hearing aids, the second number is usually the one people pay the most attention to. An IP68 rating means the hearing aid has a high level of protection against dust and has also passed water-resistance testing.

Every hearing aid manufacturer tests its devices under specific conditions, so the rating should be used as a guide rather than a guarantee. Swimming, saltwater and long periods underwater may fall outside those testing conditions.

Knowing When to Remove Your Devices Before Going into the Water

There’s no need to remove your hearing aids every time you’re near the water. Walking on the beach, sitting by the pool or relaxing on a boat may not require it if your devices are likely to stay dry.

The decision changes once an activity involves getting into the water or creates a strong chance that your ears will be soaked.

Swimming, diving, snorkeling and similar activities are all good examples. Thinking about what you’ll be doing before you head out makes it easier to decide whether your hearing aids should stay in or come out.

Using Protective Accessories for Water Activities

Protective accessories are designed to help keep hearing aids secure during activities around the water. Retention cords attach to your hearing aids and help prevent them from falling if they become loose.

Clips attach your hearing aids to your clothing, making them easier to recover if they come out unexpectedly.

Some manufacturers also offer protective sleeves that fit over certain hearing aid models to provide an extra barrier against sweat and light splashes. The accessories available depend on the style of hearing aids you wear and the activities you enjoy.

How Sunscreen and Lotions Can Affect Your Hearing Aid

Sunscreen and lotions can leave behind a thin residue on hearing aids. That residue often collects around microphone openings, buttons, charging contacts and other small parts of the device.

It can also transfer from your hands when you adjust your hearing aids after applying sunscreen or lotion. Spray products may settle on the devices without you noticing, especially on windy days.

The effects are usually gradual rather than immediate. A single application may not change the way your hearing aids work, but repeated exposure can allow residue to build up over time.

Oils and other ingredients can also attract dust, sand and other small particles, adding another layer of buildup. That’s why sunscreen and lotion are worth considering whenever you’ll be wearing hearing aids outdoors for an extended period.

Safe Storage Tips for Hearing Aids During Swimming or Diving

When you’re swimming or diving, your hearing aids may be out of your ears for several hours. It’s easy to lose track of where they were placed if you’re moving between the beach, the pool, the boat or a changing area.

Choosing one designated place to store them before you get in the water makes them much easier to find later. A few simple habits can also prevent mix-ups and accidental loss:

• • Place your hearing aids in the same case every time instead of setting them on a towel, chair or pool deck.
  • Pick one person to hold the case if several people are sharing a beach bag or cooler.
  • Keep the case zipped or latched so they don’t fall out if the bag is moved.
  • Return them to the case as soon as you remove them instead of carrying them in your hand while gathering your belongings.
  • Check that both devices are still in the case before leaving the beach, pool or boat.

Drying and Cleaning Your Devices After Time at the Beach or Pool

A soft, dry cloth can be used to wipe the outside of the hearing aids. Small brushes or cleaning tools made for hearing aids can remove debris from openings without forcing it farther inside.

If the devices were exposed to moisture, a dryer or dehumidifier can be useful once the surface is dry. Saltwater deserves extra attention because salt can remain behind after the water itself is gone.

The cleaning method should match the style of hearing aid you wear. Rechargeable models, custom devices and hearing aids with removable domes may each have different care instructions.

Following your hearing specialists’ directions matters here because the wrong cleaning product or too much moisture can create a new problem while you’re trying to fix the first one

Enjoying the Beach or Pool While Protecting Your Hearing Aids

Living on the Gulf Coast means spending plenty of time around the water, and hearing aids are part of that experience for many people. Knowing what your devices are designed to handle helps you make informed decisions before you head to the beach, pool or boat.

Many hearing aid problems develop from repeated exposure rather than a single event, which makes it helpful to understand your device’s limits before the season begins.

If you have questions about your hearing aids or their water-resistance rating, at Armand’s Hearing Center, our team is here to help. Call our Sun City office at (813) 990-0335 or our Bradenton office at (941) 357-2053 to schedule an appointment.