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You’ve had your headphones for a few months now and you can’t imagine a day without them. You’ve learned how to put them in, charge them, and clean them. But now summer’s here, your first week at the beach, and suddenly these questions arise: Should I take them off to swim? What if I get sweaty? Can I wear them to the beach? What if the microphone gets filled with sand?
You’re not alone. Summer is by far the time of year when the most hearing aids break down or need repair. The extreme heat, constant humidity, salt water from the sea, and fine sand on the beach create a combination that can irreversibly damage a device worth several thousand euros.
The good news is that with the right precautions, you can enjoy a full summer at the beach without worrying about your hearing aids. This guide explains exactly what to do in each situation.
Are you spending the summer at the coast and want to know how to take care of your hearing aids? At Clinicaudio we advise you on the best protective accessories and perform professional check-ups and cleanings before and after summer.
Your first summer with hearing aids: what you should know
Modern hearing aids are high-tech electronic devices. They contain microphones, receivers, sound processors, batteries, and precision electronic components encapsulated in a minimal casing. They are durable, but not invincible.
Most current models boast IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, the highest rating in the IP standard. This means they can withstand splashes, rain, and sweat without issue. However, there’s an important difference between water-resistant and waterproof: IP68 is not designed for submersion in the sea or prolonged exposure to saltwater.
Summer on the Spanish coast combines four factors that, individually, already pose a risk. Together, they create the most aggressive environment possible for a hearing aid:
- Extreme heat: Temperatures exceeding 40ºC inside a car or in direct sunlight
- Humidity and sweat: Sweat is water with mineral salts that penetrates microphones and causes corrosion
- Fine sand: Clogs microphone filters and sound ducts
- Sea salt: Salt water is much more corrosive than fresh water and can irreversibly damage internal components.
The four enemies of summer: heat, water, sand, and salt
The heat
Extreme heat can deform internal plastic components, drastically reduce battery life, and in extreme cases cause a short circuit. The highest-risk situations are:
- Leaving headphones on the dashboard or glove compartment of the car in summer is a bad idea, as the interior of a car parked in the sun can exceed 60-70ºC.
- Leaving the headphones on the towel at the beach in direct sunlight
- Store them in the beach bag exposed to the sun.
The golden rule: if the place is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your headphones.
The water
The sand
Salt
Hearing aids at the beach, step-by-step protocol
The beach is the most demanding environment for a hearing aid user. At Clinicaudio, we recommend following this protocol to protect your devices and enjoy the summer with peace of mind.
Before leaving home:
- Check that the microphone filters are clean and in good condition
- Bring your headphone case to store them when needed.
- If you have a portable dehumidifier, bring it too.
Upon arriving at the beach:
- Set up in a shady spot, not just in direct sunlight
- Never leave your beach bag in the sun if your headphones are inside.
When you take a bath:
- Always remove your headphones before entering the water, without exception.
- Store them in the closed hard case, not in a loose beach bag.
- Place the case in the shade, not on the towel in the sun.
Upon exiting the water:
- Dry your hands and ears thoroughly before putting your headphones back on.
- If you notice that the sound is muffled or distorted, it’s a sign that moisture has entered the room.
At the end of the day:
- Clean the headphones with a soft, dry cloth.
- Use a blower bulb to remove any remaining sand from the duct
- Store them in the dehumidifier overnight.
Headphones at the pool, differences compared to the beach
The pool seems less harsh than the sea because there’s no salt or sand. But it has its own risks. The chlorine used to disinfect the water can be just as corrosive as salt to the metal components of a hearing aid with repeated exposure.
The rules are the same as at the beach: take off your headphones before entering the water, store them in the case in the shade, and dry them well before putting them back on.
An important detail: the ambient humidity in a pool area is very high even without direct contact with water. If you wear headphones by the pool for hours in the heat, sweat and humidity are working against you. In these cases, the night dehumidifier is especially important.
Sweat, the silent enemy
Sweat is water with mineral salts and is one of the most damaging agents for hearing aids because it acts continuously, often without us noticing. In summer, especially during physical activity or in high temperatures, the amount of sweat that comes into contact with the hearing aid can be significant.
Symptoms of sweat damage usually appear gradually; the sound becomes slightly distorted, the volume fluctuates, the device shuts down intermittently, or battery problems occur.
Tips to reduce the impact of sweat.
- Dry your ears and the area around your ears before putting on your headphones if it’s very hot.
- Use nylon or silicone hearing aid covers, sold at hearing centers, which protect the device body from direct contact with sweat.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity while wearing headphones during the hottest times of the day.
- Use the dehumidifier every night during the summer, not just occasionally
If in our article on types of headphones you saw that RIC and BTE models are the most popular, you should know that they are also the most exposed to sweat precisely because they have more components behind the ear.
Are you going on vacation and want to have your hearing aids checked beforehand? At Clinicaudio we perform professional cleanings and check the condition of your devices before the summer season.
What to do if your headphones get wet
Despite all precautions, it can happen. A sudden wave, a careless shower, heavy sweating. If your headphones get wet, stay calm and follow these steps:
What you should do:
- Take them off immediately and turn them off.
- If it has a removable battery, take it out at that time.
- Dry the exterior gently with an absorbent cloth.
- Store them in an electric dehumidifier or in a container with desiccant tablets for at least 24-48 hours
- Before putting them back on, check that the sound is normal.
What you should NOT do:
- Do not use a hairdryer; the intense heat can damage the components more than water itself.
- Don’t put them in the oven or microwave for the same reason.
- Don’t use rice, even though it’s a popular tip; the starch in rice can clog the microphones.
- Don’t put them in direct sunlight to dry; extreme heat is another problem.
- Do not light them until they are completely dry
If after 48 hours in the dehumidifier the sound is still abnormal, distorted, intermittent or with reduced volume, take the hearing aids to your hearing center for a professional check-up.
Daily cleaning and maintenance in summer
During the summer, daily cleaning is no longer optional. Sweat, salt, sunscreen, and dust accumulate faster than at other times of the year and can degrade filters and microphones in a matter of days if they are not maintained.
Recommended daily routine:
In the morning, before putting them on:
- Visually inspect the microphone filters; if they are dirty or clogged, replace them.
- Clean the hearing aid body with a soft, dry cloth.
At night, when you take them off:
- Clean with a dry cloth and cleaning spray to remove traces of sweat, sunscreen, or salt.
- Use the blower bulb to clean the vent or pipe
- Store them in the dehumidifier with the battery compartment open (if it has a removable battery)
Once a week:
- More thorough cleaning with the specific kit for hearing aids (brush, cloth, spray or cleaning wipes)
- Check the condition of the tubes
- Brush the filters to remove any wax or grease residue.
Before and after the holidays:
- Visit your hearing center for a professional cleaning. Specialists can deep clean areas you can’t reach at home and detect early signs of damage before they become serious problems.
The summer kit for hearing aid users
If you’re spending a few days at the coast, we recommend preparing a small maintenance kit that fits in your beach bag or suitcase. These are the essential items you can get from your hearing center before you leave for your vacation:
Essentials:
- Waterproof hard case for storing your headphones while you shower
- Dehumidifier for hearing aids, an essential ally to eliminate accumulated moisture at the end of the day and protect your devices during the summer.
- Replacement filters are essential; microphone filters deteriorate faster in summer due to excess wax and grease.
- Dry cleaning cloths, at least 4-5 so you always have a clean one.
- Cleaning sprays, to remove traces of cream, sweat and wax.
Highly recommended:
- Blower knob, for removing sand and moisture from the sound duct
- Silicone or nylon covers protect the earphone body from sweat and salt
- Spare batteries (if your hearing aid is not rechargeable), heat reduces battery life.
If your hearing aid is rechargeable:
- Make sure the charger is not exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
- Do not charge the hearing aid if it is hot; wait for it to cool down first.
Frequently asked questions about headphones in summer
Can I take headphones to the beach?
Yes, you can wear them and use them at the beach. What you can’t do is swim with them on. Always remove them before entering the water, store them in their hard case in the shade, and clean them at the end of the day to remove traces of salt, sand, and sweat.
Are the headphones waterproof?
Most current models are IP68 certified, making them water-resistant (to splashes, rain, and sweat). However, water-resistant is not the same as waterproof; they are not designed to be submerged in the sea or withstand prolonged exposure to saltwater or chlorinated water.
What happens if my headphones get wet in the sea?
Turn them off immediately, gently dry them with a cloth, and store them in a dehumidifier for 24–48 hours. Do not use a hairdryer, oven, or expose them to direct sunlight. If the sound persists after this time, take the hearing aids to your hearing center for an evaluation.
Does summer heat damage headphones?
Extreme heat can damage internal components and reduce battery life. Never leave your headphones in the car, on a towel in the sun, or in the glove compartment. Always store them in the shade and in their case when not in use.
Do I need to use the dehumidifier more in summer?
Yes. During the summer, sweat, humidity, and contact with water are much more frequent. Using the dehumidifier every night instead of occasionally significantly extends the device’s lifespan.
When should I take my hearing aids to the hearing center because of the summer?
Ideally, you should have your filter professionally inspected and cleaned before your vacation and again upon your return. Before summer, this ensures the filters and components are in good working order. Upon your return, it provides a thorough cleaning to remove the salt, sand, and sweat accumulated during your weeks at the beach.
Conclusion
Summer at the coast is no problem for hearing aid users. With a clear protocol and the right accessories, you can enjoy the beach, the pool, and the heat without putting a device that’s essential to your quality of life at risk.
The basic rules are simple: take them off before showering, store them in the shade, clean them daily, and use a dehumidifier every night. And if you have any doubts or notice something isn’t working properly, don’t put it off. Damage from humidity or salt detected early is repairable; damage ignored for weeks may not be.
Do you want to have your hearing aids checked before going on vacation? At Clinicaudio we prepare your devices so that they arrive in perfect condition for summer.
Do you know what type of hearing aid you have and how long it will last through the summer?
Not all models offer the same level of resistance to water, heat, and sweat. Understanding the differences between headphone types helps you determine which precautions are most important for you. Our article on headphone types and which is best explains this in detail.
Are you thinking of switching to a more durable hearing aid for the summer?
Rechargeable models with lithium-ion batteries perform better in high temperatures and eliminate the hassle of replacing batteries. And if you’re looking for discretion during the summer, in-the-ear models offer an additional advantage: being inside the ear, they are less exposed to sweat and salt water than behind-the-ear models. In our article on invisible hearing aids: advantages, disadvantages, and whether they’re right for you, you’ll find all the information you need to decide if this format suits your lifestyle.
