Can artistic swimmers hear the music under water?

• To music: every routine is "choreographed to music".
• Underwater speakers: the organiser provides "four (4) underwater speakers for competition pool" and four more for the practice pool.
• Submitting it: team leaders send the music electronically at least 14 days before practice sessions begin, labelled with the event, the athletes and the federation.
• Running time: the team leader gives the exact running time of the music. The sound centre manager checks it and tells the Referee of any music that breaks the timing rules.
• Rights: "All music used by the competing Federations must be cleared of rights prior to the start of each competition." From 2026, missing licences may keep a federation out.
• Sound levels: at World Aquatics competitions nobody may be exposed to an average above 90 decibels or to peaks above 100.
• The start: "The accompaniment shall begin upon a signal from the Referee or appointed official."
• The end: timing of the routine finishes with the music.
• Hearing it first: if there is no official training with music, the athlete or team leader must be given the chance to hear their music in the venue.

The glossary has the routine and choreography and musicality.

Swimmers who cannot see each other under water keep together by counting the music, so the underwater speakers are part of the field of play. The rights rule exists because routines are broadcast, and a federation, not World Aquatics, answers for any claim.