Discover the Benefits of Water Resistant Phonak Hearing Aids

Discover the Benefits of Water Resistant Phonak Hearing Aids

  • Feb 10, 2025

💧 TL;DR

Water resistant Phonak hearing aids carry an IP68 rating across the current lineup. That protects against rain, sweat, and accidental splashes. It does not mean you can swim or shower in them. The Lumity Life model goes further and handles water contact that other models can't.

What Water Resistant Actually Means for Phonak Hearing Aids

Water resistant Phonak hearing aids share one rating: IP68. Every current Phonak model carries it. That includes the Audéo Sphere Infinio, Audéo R Infinio, and the Lumity family. This guide will walk you through what IP68 actually protects against. You'll also learn which model fits your lifestyle.

The IP rating system tells you two things. The first number covers dust protection. The second number covers water protection. "IP68" means maximum dust protection and strong water protection.

For most people, IP68 covers real-world moments. It protects against caught-in-the-rain walks home. It handles sweat from a workout. It survives accidental splashes at the sink. That peace of mind matters every day.

Shopping Phonak for the first time? Start with our Phonak collection to see the current lineup.

What IP68 Does (and Doesn't) Protect Against

Here's the honest breakdown. Water resistance is not waterproof. IP68 means temporary protection against brief contact with fresh water, tested up to 1 meter deep.

What IP68 covers for standard Phonak models:

  • Getting caught in rain during a walk
  • Heavy sweating during exercise
  • Splashes while washing your face
  • Brief accidental drops in a sink or puddle
  • Humid climates and weather

What IP68 does not cover:

  • Swimming laps or treading water
  • Showering with your hearing aids in
  • Bathing or submerging in a tub
  • Any form of diving
  • Ocean wading or pool time
  • Prolonged submersion of any kind

Phonak engineered these devices for daily-life protection. They are not designed for water sports. Submerging them voids the warranty. A hearing aid destroyed by swimming is not a covered claim.

The One Exception: Phonak Audéo Lumity Life

Lumity Life is different. Phonak built it as their purpose-made water-resistant model. It's the only current Phonak model designed to handle real water contact.

What makes Lumity Life different:

  • Tested for submersion up to 1.64 feet of fresh, salt, or chlorinated water
  • Sealed microphone ports with water-blocking covers
  • Gore-Tex silicone seals on all joints
  • Parylene-coated internal circuits
  • Inductive wireless charging (no charging contacts to let moisture in)
  • Survived 500+ immersion tests in Phonak lab validation

This is the model for people who sweat heavily through exercise. It also works for anyone worried about accidental shower exposure. Dance classes, beach walks, boat rides, and humid climates all suit it.

Still not a swimming hearing aid. Phonak does not recommend lap swimming even with Lumity Life. But if water is part of your daily concern, Lumity Life gives you the most cushion.

Want to know if Lumity Life is right for you? Call our hearing care experts at (855) 603-3541, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 EST. They'll match you with the best fit.

The Full Phonak Water Resistance Comparison

Here's how the current lineup stacks up:

Model Water resistance rating Best for
Audéo Sphere Infinio / Ultra IP68 Rain, sweat, splashes, humid climates
Audéo R Infinio IP68 Active lifestyles, moderate weather exposure
Audéo Lumity (L90, L70, L50, L30) IP68 Everyday wear with standard moisture protection
Audéo Lumity Life IP68 + enhanced sealing Heavy sweating, water-heavy environments, shower worries

The Phonak Audeo Sphere Infinio I90 offers the brand's best noise cancellation. It handles rain, sweat, and splashes confidently. The Phonak Audeo R Infinio I90 shares that protection. It trades the dedicated AI chip for a smaller design and longer battery.

The Phonak Audeo Lumity L90 delivers proven IP68 protection at a better price point. It's a strong choice for standard everyday use.

Lumity Life is available through consultation. Our hearing care experts can talk you through whether it fits your situation.

Who Should Choose Which Model?

Let's match water resistance needs to real lifestyles:

Choose a standard Phonak (Sphere Infinio, R Infinio, or Lumity) if:

  • You live a typical active life
  • You sweat normally during exercise
  • You face occasional rain or humidity
  • Your daily routine stays relatively dry

Choose Phonak Audéo Lumity Life if:

  • You sweat heavily from intense exercise
  • You live in a hot, humid climate
  • You worry about accidental shower exposure
  • You work outdoors in variable weather
  • You want maximum moisture protection

Not sure which category fits you? Talk to our hearing care experts. They'll review your audiogram and your daily environments. Then they'll recommend the best match.

How to Care for Water Resistant Phonak Hearing Aids

IP68 protection lasts longer with proper care. Here are the essentials:

  • Wipe your hearing aids daily with a soft dry cloth
  • Remove them before showering, swimming, or bathing
  • Store them in a drying container overnight if you sweat heavily
  • Clean microphone ports gently with the included brush
  • Keep the charging contacts dry and debris-free
  • Replace wax guards on schedule to maintain the seal
  • Never submerge hearing aids intentionally

Ongoing maintenance protects your warranty. Check our hearing aid maintenance guide for detailed care instructions.

If you notice reduced performance after moisture exposure, act quickly. Let the hearing aids air dry in a cool, dry spot. Do not use heat sources like hair dryers. Contact our service line at (855) 731-1975 if issues persist.


How Direct Hearing Fits In

When you buy a water resistant Phonak hearing aid, three options exist:

Where you buy What you get What you pay
Traditional clinics Licensed fitting, in-person care, valid warranty Thousands more than necessary
Direct Hearing Licensed providers, authorized retailer, remote fitting, full warranty Significant savings
Bare-bones online sellers Low price, no fitting, often unauthorized Cheapest, but risky

We're an authorized retailer for Phonak. Every device we sell carries the full manufacturer warranty. Our licensed hearing care providers fit your hearing aids remotely. They use the same official Phonak software clinics use.

You also get:

  • A 60-day money-back guarantee with no restocking fees
  • Unlimited remote adjustments for as long as you own the devices
  • 3-year manufacturer warranties on all Phonak models
  • A free online hearing test if you don't have a recent audiogram

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Phonak hearing aids waterproof?

No. Phonak hearing aids are water resistant, not waterproof. The IP68 rating protects against temporary water contact. Rain, sweat, and splashes are fine. Swimming, diving, and showering are not.

Can I wear Phonak hearing aids in the shower?

No. Even with IP68 protection, showering is not recommended. Hot water and steam create prolonged humid exposure. Soaps and shampoos can damage seals over time. Remove your hearing aids before showering every time.

What about the Lumity Life model?

Lumity Life offers stronger water protection than other Phonak models. Phonak tested it for submersion in fresh, salt, and pool water. Our experts can help you choose between the standard lineup and Lumity Life.

Will sweat damage my Phonak hearing aids?

Regular sweat is fine for all current IP68-rated Phonak models. Heavy sweaters and intense athletes may prefer Lumity Life. Wipe your hearing aids daily and store them dry overnight. That care keeps seals working.

What happens if my Phonak hearing aid gets wet accidentally?

Dry it quickly with a soft cloth. Let it air dry in a cool spot. Do not use a hair dryer or heat source. Open the battery door if applicable. Contact our service line at (855) 731-1975 if problems persist.

Does water damage void the warranty?

It depends on the exposure. Normal rain, sweat, and splash exposure stays covered. Submersion damage from swimming or showering typically voids the warranty. IP68 is a protection rating, not an unlimited guarantee.

Finding the Right Water Resistant Phonak for Your Life

Water resistant Phonak hearing aids fit most active lifestyles. IP68 protection covers what most people face every day. Rain won't kill them. Sweat won't ruin them. Accidental splashes won't wreck them.

The right choice depends on how you live. Need maximum speech-in-noise performance plus standard water protection? Look at the Sphere Infinio Ultra. Want proven technology at a better price? Lumity delivers. Worried about serious moisture exposure? Lumity Life is purpose-built for that.

Our team can walk you through the options. Every Phonak we sell is authorized, warrantied, and professionally fitted. Remote adjustments stay unlimited.

Ready to find the right water resistant Phonak for your life? Get personalized help from our team or call (855) 603-3541, Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 EST.