Hearing loss is a broad and evolving term that refers to the reduction of a person's ability to naturally hear sounds without assistance. Not everyone with hearing loss requires treatment or assistive technology such as hearing aids.
For those who do need them, these devices quickly become an integral part of daily life. And because they play such an important role day to day, the concepts of waterproof and water-resistant hearing aids are paramount. Daily life involves showers, washing the car, swimming, and general exposure to moisture. So, what is the difference between waterproofing and water resistance, and how can this technology change your hearing aid experience?
Currently, CLARIA does not offer waterproof or water-resistant hearing aids; however, we are constantly working to provide you with the highest quality over-the-counter hearing aids on the market and to advance their technology!
What is a hearing aid?
Before delving into the details of waterproof and water-resistant technologies and learning how to better decipher them, let's look at hearing aids themselves.
Hearing aids are designed to help people with varying degrees of hearing loss. These devices are among the most advanced medical technologies on the market and are constantly evolving.
What is a decibel?
When a person suffers from hearing loss, their natural ability to perceive sound waves begins to decline. This decline results in what is called a decibel threshold. Anyone with normal hearing perceives a multitude of different sound frequencies at natural decibel thresholds.
A decibel is a measure of the natural strength or power of a sound wave. Each sound frequency we hear has its own decibel level, or threshold.
For example, a person with "cookie bite" hearing loss (loss at mid-range frequencies) has difficulty recognizing frequencies between 500 and 2000 Hz. It's not so much that their brain doesn't understand these frequencies, but rather that they are below the decibel threshold they have acquired.
The threshold of these frequencies is much lower than that of normal hearing, making them easy to recognize. As hearing declines, the decibel threshold increases: these frequencies then no longer reach the level needed to be perceived.
How does a hearing aid work?
What a hearing aid does is take the precise frequencies that a person has difficulty hearing. It increases the natural decibel level of these frequencies, in other words, it makes them louder and more powerful. By raising this level, the hearing-impaired person can once again recognize the frequency and translate it into sound.
As you can imagine, this process requires advanced technology. Hearing aids incorporate speakers, processors, and power sources that make all this possible.
Moreover, to obtain a prescription hearing aid, one must undergo a series of expensive tests with an audiologist to accurately assess their needs. Most of these examinations, however, are covered by insurance. This precise diagnosis then allows the hearing aids to be programmed to assist the person with the frequencies they struggle to recognize.
Hearing aids, a significant investment
Choosing prescription hearing aids can involve thousands of dollars and expensive medical appointments.
For many, this high cost is an obstacle. The CLARIA team has worked hard to offer another solution that won't break the bank. We have developed high-quality, universal over-the-counter hearing aids that we can deliver to you for less than a hundred dollars.
We also use the best possible technology to reduce background noise and help you focus on what you want to hear. We also offer a money-back guarantee and have excellent ratings from satisfied customers.
Whether you choose the path of prescription hearing aids or try an over-the-counter solution, you will be making a small investment to improve your hearing. Beyond the financial aspect, it is above all a way to live again as you did before your hearing loss.
The benefits of waterproof and water-resistant technologies
As this technology plays an important role in your life, the interest in waterproof or water-resistant qualities is obvious. Not only do you not want to be deprived of certain activities involving water, such as washing the car with the kids or bathing the dog, but there is also the risk of being caught by the elements, such as rain.
Currently, the market does not offer many options in terms of waterproof or water-resistant hearing aids. This is, however, a direction the industry is taking, as enthusiasm for these features grows. Thus, most mobile phones, even in their basic versions, display at least water resistance, as this technology develops and becomes increasingly accessible to manufacturers.
But what is waterproof technology, and what is water-resistant technology? How do they work, and how can we recognize and better understand them?
Waterproof and water-resistant technologies: what you need to know
When we talk about waterproofing or water resistance, we immediately think of certain situations: jumping into the pool with your smartwatch, or no longer fearing that your toddler will spill a glass of water on your work tablet. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how can you intelligently assess the amount of water a device can withstand without damage?
Not all devices are created equal
Not all devices are equal in terms of the amount of liquid they can withstand without breaking down. Most technologies fall into three broad categories based on their behavior towards liquids: water-resistant, water-repellent, and waterproof. These three categories are based on a universal rating, which has become an industry standard among all manufacturers: the IP rating.
How to read an IP rating
IP stands for "ingress protection": it is a universal standard that indicates the level of exposure a device can withstand to certain natural elements. The IP rating itself consists of two digits displayed side by side.
The first digit represents the device's level of resistance to dust and small particles. It indicates how sealed the device is against damage that could be caused by dirt, dust, or any particle that could damage it.
This rating ranges from zero to six, with six corresponding to total dust tightness. People who enjoy the outdoors or work in naturally dusty environments, such as construction workers, will benefit from choosing a device with a high IP rating for dust.
The second digit concerns the device's ability to resist liquids. This rating ranges from zero to nine and follows the same logic: the higher the number, the more resistant the device is to liquids, with zero meaning no protection and nine meaning protection against high temperatures, water pressure, which means you can immerse your device, and water jets.
Water-resistant
A water-resistant device will have the lowest IP rating for liquids, as these are the least protected devices. It is up to the manufacturer to rate their device; however, the IP rating of a water-resistant product is generally between one and four. This level of protection protects your device from water droplets and light splashes.
Waterproof
This rating also depends on the manufacturer, but it is generally considered to range from five to nine. With an IP rating of five, the device is supposed to withstand continuous low-pressure exposure, such as a splash, and higher levels correspond to increasingly aggressive exposures. An IP rating of nine indicates that the device can withstand prolonged immersion, pressure, and temperature variations such as heat.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that the manufacturer's recommendations must always be followed, even if a device has a high IP rating. This rating is not intended to certify that a device is truly "waterproof": it provides a standardized benchmark for the level of exposure your device can withstand. Ultimately, choosing waterproof or water-resistant hearing aids is a matter of personal preference.
CLARIA is here to provide you with all the resources you need to learn everything about hearing aids. We currently offer two models: EV1 and EV3. We provide high-quality and affordable hearing aids, without a prescription or a hefty medical bill. To learn more about hearing aids and hearing health, click here.
Source:
Degrees of Hearing Loss | asha.org
IP Ratings | iec.chi
Quick Statistics About Hearing | NIDCD
Water Resistant, Water Repellent, or Waterproof: What's the Difference? | hzo.com
Decibel Levels: Measuring Dangerous Noise | Hearing Health Foundation
