Cochlear implants are not fully waterproof out of the box, but the situation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The internal component surgically placed under your skin is sealed inside a titanium casing that keeps fluids out indefinitely. The external processor you wear on your ear or head is the vulnerable part, and its water resistance varies by manufacturer, model, and whether you add a protective accessory.
The Internal Implant Is Fully Sealed
The part of a cochlear implant that sits under your skin (the receiver-stimulator and electrode array) is encased in a hermetic seal, typically made of titanium or titanium alloy. Titanium resists corrosion, is highly biocompatible, and creates an airtight barrier that prevents any liquid, gas, or particles from reaching the electronics inside. Glass-to-metal seals and ceramic components add further protection at connection points. This internal hardware is designed to last decades inside the body, surrounded by tissue and fluid, without failing.
A published case report documented one implant recipient completing 20 scuba dives to depths of 92 feet (about 3.8 atmospheres of pressure) with no effect on the internal receiver-stimulator. So the implanted portion can handle far more than a swimming pool.
External Processors: Water Resistant, Not Waterproof
The external sound processor is where water becomes a real concern. This is the piece that contains the microphone, battery, and speech processing electronics. All three major manufacturers now offer processors with IP68 ratings, the highest standard for consumer water and dust resistance, but the details differ and the rating alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
IP68 means a device has been tested for continuous submersion in freshwater up to a specific depth and time. Here’s how the current flagship processors compare:
- Cochlear Nucleus 8: IP68 rated to 1 meter deep for up to 1 hour without accessories. With the Aqua+ sleeve, it handles up to 3 meters for 2 hours.
- MED-EL Rondo 3: IP68 rated to 1 meter deep for up to 60 minutes in freshwater. With the WaterWear cover, it’s rated to 4 meters for 2 hours.
- Advanced Bionics Naída CI M90: Reaches IP68 only when paired with the M Waterproof Battery and a waterproof headpiece and cable. Without those accessories, the rating drops significantly, as low as IP22 in a standard configuration.
That last point is important. The same processor can have very different water resistance depending on which battery, headpiece, and accessories you attach. Swapping in a non-waterproof component drops the entire system’s protection level.
Freshwater vs. Salt and Chlorine
Most IP68 ratings are tested in freshwater. Salt water and chlorinated pool water are more corrosive and pose a different threat. Repeated exposure to salt or chlorine can damage metal contacts and microphone membranes over time, even on processors rated for submersion. Both Cochlear and MED-EL recommend using their protective accessories (Aqua+ and WaterWear, respectively) whenever you’re in salt or chlorinated water, not just deep water. Think of the base IP68 rating as protection for rain, sweat, and the occasional splash. For actual swimming, the accessory is what makes it reliably safe.
Batteries Matter More Than You’d Expect
Zinc-air batteries, which are common disposable options for cochlear processors, need oxygen flowing through tiny pores to generate power. Seal them inside a waterproof sleeve and they stop working entirely. If you plan to swim or use a waterproof accessory, you need a rechargeable battery module. This is easy to overlook when packing for a pool day or vacation.
After Surgery: When Can You Get Wet?
If you or your child just had cochlear implant surgery, swimming is typically off limits for about four weeks while the incision heals. Even getting the wound behind the ear wet should be avoided for roughly the first 10 days, until a surgeon checks the site. Careful hair washing with help (or skipping it entirely for that period) is standard advice. Once the incision has fully healed and the processor is activated, water activities become a question of equipment rather than medical risk.
Drying Your Processor After Water Exposure
Even with good water resistance ratings, moisture can accumulate in and around your processor over time, especially from sweat, humidity, or rain. A nightly drying routine extends the life of the device considerably.
Electronic drying units circulate warm, dry air around the processor and work best with about eight hours of use, essentially an overnight cycle. Non-electronic options use a desiccant to absorb moisture and also work overnight. Some newer charging docks double as dryers, storing, drying, and charging the processor simultaneously. Whichever method you use, storing the processor fully assembled (not taken apart) gives the best drying results. After any intentional water activity, like swimming with an Aqua+ or WaterWear cover, drying the processor overnight is especially important.
What This Means in Practice
For everyday life, modern cochlear implant processors handle rain, sweat, and accidental splashes without trouble. For swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean, you’ll almost certainly want the manufacturer’s waterproof accessory for your specific processor. For snorkeling, the Aqua+ and WaterWear covers support depths of 3 to 4 meters for up to two hours, which covers most recreational snorkeling comfortably. Scuba diving is a different conversation. While the internal implant has been shown to tolerate significant depths, the external processor accessories are not rated for that kind of pressure, and most recipients remove the processor before a dive (meaning you won’t hear underwater).
The practical bottom line: the part inside you is exceptionally well sealed. The part outside you needs the right accessories and the right battery to be truly waterproof, and you should always dry it afterward.