Most current in-ear hearing aids carry an IP65 dust and water resistance rating. That sounds bulletproof, but it is tested with fresh water at limited depth and time — not with what daily life actually throws at the device. Seven situations call for the case:
- 1. Showering and bathing. Hot steam carries soaps and oils that no rating tests against. This is the #1 cause of receiver failure.
- 2. Swimming, even briefly. Pool chlorine and salt water corrode internal contacts within hours.
- 3. MRI scans. The magnet can damage components and pose a safety hazard. Tell the technician you wear hearing aids.
- 4. Diathermy or radiation therapy. Always remove before treatment; ask the radiology team.
- 5. Hair dryers, hairspray, sunscreen application. Heat softens shells; aerosols clog microphone ports.
- 6. Contact sports. Helmets and impact can dislodge or crack a custom shell.
- 7. Deep sleep, for most users. Side-sleeping pressure on a CIC device can cause pressure sores; nighttime amplification is rarely needed.
One quiet exception: airplanes. Hearing aids are FAA- and TSA-cleared, and Bluetooth LE Audio's Auracast is now active in select U.S. airports — leave them in.
