Once you get used to your hearing aid, it’s hard to be without it. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But it will periodically need to be upgraded or replaced just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s typical lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the normal lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to get regular hearing tests to make sure your current hearing aid is still the best solution for your hearing needs, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. Technology is always progressing and some hearing aids wear out more rapidly than others so it’s good to be open to other options should your hearing change.
Your hearing aid longevity may be influenced by these factors
So, that’s just the typical life of a hearing aid. So hearing may last much longer for some people. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by a number of considerations:
- Build quality: Investing in hearing aids can be a bit pricey. But, like with most things in life, you typically get what you pay for. The more robust the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably selected one of those very small, easy to conceal devices. Those devices have the right amount of power you need and are very precisely fine-tuned. If your hearing loss gets worse, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful model.
- Functionality: Technology is constantly advancing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. You might want to upgrade your hearing aid if you want the clearest sound or if you want to connect with you your smart-devices like your phone or TV.
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in many ways so it should last longer if you take better care of it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing frequent maintenance as the manufacturer recommends is something you should always do.
- How frequently your hearing aids are used: So if you use your hearing aid more often, you will need a new one sooner. But that’s not always the situation, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. Maybe, a better way to put it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device off and on), the sooner you might need to invest in a new hearing aid.
How can you get the most out of your hearing aid?
It’s significant to note that hearing aids are a very personal thing. In most situations, they are programmed specifically for your hearing and will likely have custom molds. They are also a considerable investment. So getting the most you can from your hearing aids is the common goal.
And this is a very achievable goal. Taking good care of your hearing aids is the best thing you can do to be sure that your hearing aids last as long as they can. Try to keep them dry and don’t drop them if possible. Of course, doing the required cleaning and maintenance is essential.
You’ll typically be able to get a good five years from your hearing aid. You may or may not get more than that. But ultimately, you will have to make a decision. You will most likely, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. We can help you determine the right hearing aid for you, so call us right away for an assessment.
