Can You Wear Hearing Aids in the Sauna?

Can You Wear Hearing Aids in the Sauna?

If you depend on hearing aids, the idea of removing them for 15-20 minutes in an enclosed space might seem impractical or even unsafe. But the sauna environment is one of the harshest places you can put a hearing aid. The answer to whether you can wear them in the sauna is technically yes, but you really shouldn't.

Why Saunas Damage Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are sophisticated electronic devices packed into tiny cases. They contain microphones, speakers, amplifiers, microprocessors, and batteries. Every one of these components is vulnerable to sauna conditions.

Heat damage. Saunas operate at 150-195°F. Most hearing aids are rated for operating temperatures up to about 104-113°F. At sauna temperatures, adhesives can soften, plastic housings can warp, and sensitive electronic components can malfunction or degrade permanently.

Moisture damage. Even in a "dry" Finnish sauna, humidity increases significantly when you pour water on the rocks. Sweat adds additional moisture. This combination can corrode internal electronics, fog microphones, and damage speakers. Many modern hearing aids have some moisture resistance (IP67 or IP68 ratings), but these ratings are for brief exposure to water at normal temperatures, not sustained exposure to hot, humid air.

Battery degradation. Extreme heat accelerates battery drain and can permanently reduce battery capacity, whether you use disposable zinc-air batteries or rechargeable lithium-ion cells. Heat can also cause batteries to swell or leak.

What Happens If You Do Wear Them

Some people wear hearing aids in the sauna occasionally without obvious immediate damage. But the effects are often cumulative:

• Gradual reduction in sound quality over weeks or months
• Increased frequency of repairs and replacements
• Intermittent static, feedback, or cutting out
• Shortened overall device lifespan
• Voided manufacturer warranty (most explicitly exclude heat and moisture damage)

Given that hearing aids cost $1,000-6,000 per device, even occasional sauna exposure is an expensive gamble.

How to Handle the Sauna Without Hearing Aids

Removing your hearing aids for a sauna session means 15-20 minutes without amplification. Here's how to manage:

• Sauna with someone who knows you can't hear well. If you sauna with family or friends, let them know you've removed your hearing aids. Face them when they speak and use visual cues.
• Set a visible timer. Since you may not hear an audio timer, use a visual timer or your phone's screen (placed outside the sauna where you can see it through a glass door) to track your session length.
• Establish safety signals. If you sauna alone and are concerned about not hearing fire alarms or other warnings, position yourself where you can see outside the sauna and establish a visual check routine.
• Store aids safely. Put your hearing aids in their case, in a cool, dry location well away from the sauna. Don't leave them on a bench near the sauna door where heat can reach them.

What About Cochlear Implants?

Cochlear implant external processors should also be removed before sauna use. They contain the same vulnerable electronic components as hearing aids. The internal implant component (surgically placed under the skin) is not affected by sauna temperatures, as your body's thermoregulation keeps internal temperatures safe.

Consult your audiologist about sauna use if you have a cochlear implant, especially regarding the timeline after surgery.

Post-Sauna Hearing Aid Care

If your hearing aids were accidentally exposed to sauna heat or humidity, take these steps immediately:

1. Remove batteries or turn off rechargeable aids
2. Open the battery door to allow air circulation
3. Place in a hearing aid dehumidifier or drying kit for at least 8 hours
4. If you don't have a dehumidifier, place them in a container with uncooked rice or silica gel packets
5. Test functionality after thorough drying before resuming wear
6. If problems persist, visit your audiologist for inspection

The Benefits Are Worth the Brief Silence

The health benefits of regular sauna use - cardiovascular improvement, inflammation reduction, stress relief, better sleep - are significant enough to justify 15-20 minutes without hearing amplification. Many hearing aid users find that the quiet of a sauna session, while initially uncomfortable, becomes a pleasant break from constant auditory input.

Our outdoor saunas and barrel saunas feature glass doors on many models, which helps hearing-impaired users maintain visual awareness of their surroundings during sessions. Built from FSC-certified heat-treated Canadian hemlock with Harvia or Huum heaters, they're designed for safe, comfortable daily use.

We offer 0% APR financing through Affirm, free shipping over $5,000, and HSA/FSA eligibility through TrueMed.