You can turn the shower, a mundane everyday experience, into something very pleasant just by listening to music. However, you must be very careful: the steam released during the shower can have a negative impact on electronic devices and affect their duration or cause a premature malfunction. To prevent this from happening and save yourself unnecessary expenses, you can use water-resistant audio material, listen to music broadcast outside the shower and take secondary measures to protect your appliances from moisture.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Waterproofing the Music Listening Appliances in the Shower
Step 1. Purchase waterproof Bluetooth speakers
They can be found at most retailers, electronics stores, and the like. This way you can keep your mobile phone in a dry area of the bathroom and connect it to the case located in the shower. Play a playlist on your phone to listen to music from the speaker while you wash.
- You may be able to find speakers equipped with suction cups that can make them more stable inside the shower.
- Some crates have waterproof straps that allow you to attach them to the curtain rod.
- Read the instructions on the packaging carefully - some speakers may be splash resistant but not suitable for being completely submerged in water.
Step 2. Switch to a waterproof phone
Some phones have a naturally waterproof case; others can even be immersed in a thin layer of water. Check your phone's instructions carefully before trying it out: some "water resistant" phones may only be splash resistant.
Some phones are marketed precisely for their possible use in the shower. Among those you can consider are the Galaxy S7, the iPhone 7 Plus and the Caterpillar Cat S60
Step 3. Invest some money in a waterproof shower radio
It is a much cheaper alternative than a Bluetooth speaker or a waterproof smartphone. Even if you won't be able to listen to the playlists saved on your mobile, you will still be able to enjoy the songs broadcast by your favorite radio station while taking a shower.
- Some of these shower radios have the ability to connect to your phone via Bluetooth or have an AUX cable connection to act as speakers.
- In some bathrooms there may be poor reception due to interference from walls, pipes and more. For this reason, it may be appropriate to search for radio devices known to have excellent reception.
Step 4. Take all possible precautions with a multifunctional, waterproof MP3 player
If you are the first in the family to wake up in the morning, you may not be able to listen to loud music with a speaker. In this case, you could use a waterproof MP3 player and water-resistant earphones: you can listen to your favorite music at any volume while taking a shower.
If a waterproof MP3 player is for you, there are three models to consider: the Sony NWZ-W273S player, the Speedo AquaBeat 2 and the KitSound Triathlon
Step 5. Use waterproof cases for your devices
Many cases should be 100% waterproof: this prevents most of the moisture from coming into contact with the phone, but it is not uncommon for traces of water to penetrate inside the case. For this reason, you should use one as an additional protection for your appliances, while avoiding exposing it to moisture.
Read the label of the waterproof case you intend to buy: in some cases it may only be water resistant but not suitable for a complete immersion
Part 2 of 3: Listening to Music Played Out of the Shower
Step 1. If necessary, check that the speakers are getting the right volume
In some cases, you may not have time to set them up or they may not be worth it - they are not strictly necessary for listening to music in the shower. However, if you plan on using them, choose sturdy, small, or medium-sized ones.
- The large speakers have the ability to reach a higher volume and are the best option for hearing music above the noise of the water. However, they tend to be more delicate and more sensitive to steam.
- Prefer speakers that can be oriented to transmit music directly in the direction of the shower: they will allow you to hear more easily over the sound of running water.
Step 2. If you wish, you can create a handcrafted amplifier
If you listen to music directly from your phone without the aid of external amplifiers, you may have difficulty hearing the sound. Fortunately, you can create an emergency amplifier by inserting the microphone inside a glass - even plastic.
- Try different glasses, as the shape could affect the effect of amplification.
- In general, consider that glasses with a larger opening or bowls produce a richer, fuller and deeper sound than glasses with a smaller opening.
Step 3. Arrange your equipment so that you have the best possible sound experience
The more the sound of the phone and any speakers is directed towards the shower, the easier it will be to hear the music above the sound of the water. If you make an amplifier with a plastic cup, you may be able to hear the music better by rotating the opening in the direction of the shower.
- Sometimes the water can splash through cracks in the curtain, especially after entering the shower. Be very careful not to wet the equipment unnecessarily: humidity generally harms electronic devices.
- The acoustics of the bathroom can also affect the choice of place to place the audio device. In general, sound waves spread around a room by bouncing off hard surfaces and being absorbed by soft ones. The more concentrated these waves are, the easier they are to hear: place the speakers - or the glass - to direct the sound towards the shower.
Step 4. Set up a playlist
While you're in the shower, especially if you're not lucky enough to have a waterproof phone, it may be impossible to skip a song you don't like. Using wet hands can damage your phone due to humidity, so consider creating your own rock compilation in advance so you won't be tempted to use your phone while you're in the shower.
- In case you absolutely have to change songs while in the shower, try using the voice activation feature to avoid getting your phone wet. Speak clearly and clearly: It may be difficult for the speech recognition system to distinguish your voice from the noise of the shower.
- Even your favorite songs can get old after a while, so why not create different shower playlists that can interpret your moods? For example, you might have an inspiring playlist, one to focus on work, one to help you solve a difficult problem, and so on.
Step 5. Take a shower and improvise to the notes of your favorite songs
Synchronize your phone or plug the AUX cable into the amplifier, if necessary. Start the playlist on your mobile or, if you are using a glass, insert the phone inside. Turn up the volume, step into the shower and enjoy the music while you wash.
Part 3 of 3: Protect Technological Equipment from Humidity with Secondary Measures
Step 1. Make a makeshift waterproof case out of a plastic bag
It may happen that you are away from home and want to take a shower while listening to music. In this case, take a resealable plastic bag, insert the mobile phone inside and close it, then use waterproof and resistant adhesive tape - for example the hydraulic one - to reinforce the closure of the bag.
- If you do not have waterproof adhesive tape, be sure to keep the bag closed so that the phone is protected from water.
- Some plastic bags are so thin that they allow the cell phone to be activated by touch. You may need to do some testing before you find the right bag for your phone.
Step 2. Turn on a fan while taking a shower
Moisture can accumulate in the air and fill the closed area of the bathroom; once the air is saturated with it, it tends to penetrate even inside well-protected enclosures. You can prevent buildup by turning on a fan before entering the shower and leaving it on all the time.
If there is no fan in your bathroom, it may be necessary to leave a window slightly open or the door ajar to allow humidity to escape from the room
Step 3. Keep technological appliances away from sources of moisture
Some areas of the bathroom may build up steam more easily than others. You may have noticed that some spots get wet every time you shower - these are the spots to avoid when placing electronic appliances.
