The actual procedure might have varied from boat to boat. In general, BdU encouraged captains to stay on the surface as much as possible. Here is a quote from the submarine commander's handbook (hnsa.org/doc/uboat/index.htm):
27.) It may also be advisable to remain submerged in misty or foggy weather. In poor visibility, the approach of ships can be more easily detected underwater [from the sound of the ships' engines] by means of the hydrophone, than on the surface by the look-out.
28.) This possibility of using the hydrophone to help in detecting surf ships should, however, be restricted to those cases in which the submarine is unavoidably compelled to stay below the surface. The hydrophone must not lead to inactivity [passivity] underwater, which would be wrong; it is an auxiliary instrument and no more, and can never be a substitute for ocular perception and surface viewing. As soon as visibility allows, the, place of the submarine is on the surface. Otherwise valuable opportunities of attack are lost.
As far as the effectiveness of the hydrophone in bad whether, I'm sure it was affected in real life. In the gtame, I've heard that escorts have a hard time with detection in bad weather (allowing one to travel undetected at a higher speed, for instance), but the only difference I've noticed in the sub is that the hydrophone goes out when the boat broaches the surface in heavy seas. I've never tried using the hydrophone from the surface in heavy seas like Danoh suggested, but I'd think the boat wouldn't be under long enough to scan in all directions thoroughly.
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