It’s difficult to be separated from your hearing aid once you get accustomed to having one. Let’s face it, if you want to stay connected to the world, your hearing aids are crucial. But it will periodically need to be updated or replaced just like any technology.
The Average Hearing Aid Lifespan
So the average hearing aid will last how long?The normal lifespan of a typical hearing aid will be anywhere from 3 to 5 years. But that’s not a hard and fast rule, and you need to have your hearing examined regularly to make sure your hearing aid is still the best choice for you. Assuming your hearing doesn’t change, some models wear out more quickly than others and technology is continuously changing.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity May be Affected by These Variables
Because that’s just the average, right? Which means that hearing aids might last a lot longer for many people. Here are a number of factors that will determine how long your hearing aids will last:
- The Hearing Aid’s Complexity: A lot more can go wrong with your hearing aid if it’s more complex because there are more variables to contend with. However, you might need that additional complexity, and often, it winds up being worth it. But added complex technology does present a breakability factor. Modern hearing aids have gotten very clever about introducing more functionality using software rather than hardware, which does help.
- Functionality: Technology is always changing, and hearing aids have been keeping up. If you want your hearing aids to sync up with your television, smartphone, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- Regular care and maintenance: In a variety of ways, a hearing aid is like any other piece of technology: the better you care for it, the longer it’ll last. That’s the reason why you should always clean your hearing aids and conduct regular maintenance just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Build quality: Hearing aids are costly. But you usually get what you pay for, like with so many things. The better the build quality, the longer your hearing aid is likely to last.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more frequently, you will to replace it sooner. But that’s not always true, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. It’s actually more valid to say that if you turn the power on and off frequently, you will need to replace your hearing aid sooner.
- Changes to your hearing: Those little, easy to hide devices are will usually the choice of adults who wear hearing aids. Those devices tend to be very precisely calibrated and they have exactly the amount of power you need. So if your hearing gets worse (not ideal, obviously, but it does happen), you may need to switch to a more powerful set of hearing aids.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. They may have custom molds and in the majority of cases are programmed especially for your ears. Also, they are a significant investment. So it’s a common objective to get the most out of your hearing aid.
And it’s an attainable one. Really, the best thing you can do to make certain your hearing aids last as long as possible is to take care of them. Dropping them or getting them wet are things you should not do if possible. And all the needed maintenance and cleaning are things you should not neglect.
Your hearing aids should last a good five years. Whether it’s possible to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But at some point when you have to make a decision. Inevitably, you will likely want the new features offered by modern hearing aids. So, to find out what hearing aid is the best one for you, schedule a hearing exam today.