Effects of ion species on the expansion behavior of Poly(styrene sufonic acid)(PSSA) hydrogel were investigated in aqueous solution of selected anions, cations and hydrophobic ions. The deexpansion extent of Poly(stylene sulfonic acid) gel follow the sequence $SCN^-$<$Br^-$<$Cl^-$<$F^-$ in low concentration solutions due to the destabilization of anions to hydrogen bond between ${SO_3}^-$ and water. The deexpansion in cations followed the sequence of counterion interactions between ${SO_3}^-$ and cations. It was discussed the effects of ions on the hydrogen bonding through ${SO_3}^-$ and phenyl ring in salt solutions. Other interactions, such as the cation-${pi}$ interaction, hydrophobic interaction, and dispersion force, contributed to the ion specific swelling of PSSA hydrogel.