Once you get used to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to be without it. Your hearing aids are, after all, your connection to the world around you. But it will occasionally have 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. But that isn’t a set in stone rule, and you’ll need to get your hearing tested occasionally to be sure your hearing aid is still the best solution for your lifestyle. Technology is continuously improving and some hearing aids wear out more rapidly than others so it’s good to be open to other solutions should your hearing change.
There are other things that will influence the lifespan of your hearing aids
So, that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. So hearing may last a lot longer for some people. Here are a number of factors that will determine how long your hearing aid should last:
- Build quality: It can be expensive to invest in hearing aids. But, as with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. The more robust the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid will last.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like most technology, it will last longer the better care you take of it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing routine maintenance as the manufacturer recommends is something you should always do.
- How often your hearing aids are used: The more often you use your hearing aids, the sooner they will have to be replaced. Having said that, modern hearing aids are made to last. Actually, it may be more correct to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will need replacing.
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping pace with constantly advancing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you might want to upgrade.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably selected one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. That type of hearing aid can be really precisely calibrated and will have exactly the right amount of power you need. You may need to upgrade to a more powerful device if your hearing worsens.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In most situations, they are tuned specifically for your ears and will likely have custom molds. The investment is also considerable. So getting the most you can out of your hearing aids is the common goal.
And this is a very achievable goal. Taking good care of your hearing aids is the most useful thing you can do to be sure that your hearing aids last as long as they can. Try not to let them get wet and don’t drop them if you can help it. Obviously, doing the recommended cleaning and maintenance is essential.
Your hearing aid will usually work well for at least five years. Whether you can get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But ultimately, you will have to make a choice. You will probably, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. So, call us to make an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you figure out which hearing aid is best for you.