diff --git a/pyhydrophone/hydrophone.py b/pyhydrophone/hydrophone.py
index 1ba58b1..fd22809 100644
--- a/pyhydrophone/hydrophone.py
+++ b/pyhydrophone/hydrophone.py
@@ -39,9 +39,18 @@ def __init__(self, name, model, serial_number, sensitivity, preamp_gain, Vpp, st
         self.name = name
         self.model = model
         self.serial_number = serial_number
-        self.sensitivity = sensitivity
-        self.preamp_gain = preamp_gain
-        self.Vpp = Vpp
+        try:
+            self.sensitivity = float(sensitivity)
+        except ValueError:
+            raise ValueError("Sensitivity must be an integer or float")
+        try:
+            self.preamp_gain = float(preamp_gain)
+        except ValueError:
+            raise ValueError("preamp_gain must be an integer or float")
+        try:
+            self.Vpp = float(Vpp)
+        except ValueError:
+            raise ValueError("Vpp must be an integer or float")
         self.string_format = string_format
         self.cal_freq = 250
         self.cal_value = 114