It’s tough to be apart from your hearing aid once you get used to using one. After all, your hearing aids are important to connect with your world. But it will periodically need to be upgraded or swapped out just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s typical lifespan
A hearing aid will normally last 3 to 7 years. You will need to get routine hearing tests to make sure your current hearing aid is still the best option for your hearing requirements, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. Technology is constantly advancing and some hearing aids need replacing sooner than others so it’s good to be open to other options should your hearing change.
There are other factors that will influence the lifespan of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have an “average” lifespan of 3 to 7 years. So hearing may last a lot longer for some individuals. Here are a few considerations that will determine how long your hearing aid should last:
- Build quality: Buying hearing aids can be a bit pricey. But, like with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. Your hearing aid will be longer lasting if it has more robust construction.
- Changes to your hearing: Most adults go for those really small hearing aids that conceal easily. That style of hearing aid can be very precisely fine-tuned and will have exactly the right amount of power you require. You may need to switch to a more powerful device if your hearing worsens.
- Functionality: Technology is always changing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, TV, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you might want to upgrade.
- How frequently your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more frequently, you will need a new one sooner. But that’s not always the situation, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for a long time. Perhaps, a better way to put it is that the more frequently you cycle power settings (turn the device off and on), the sooner you might need to invest in a new hearing aid.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like any piece of technology, it will have a longer life the better you care for it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing routine maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to recognize that hearing aids are really personal things. In most circumstances, they are tuned specifically for your hearing and will usually have custom molds. They are also a significant investment. So getting the most you can out of your hearing aids is the prevalent goal.
And it’s one you can accomplish. The best thing you can do if you want your hearing aid to last is take good care of it. Try not to drop them or get them wet. Of course, doing the required cleaning and maintenance is important.
Your hearing aid will normally work well for at least five years. You may or may not get more than that. But ultimately, you will have to decide. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids offer features you will probably want. We can help you find the best hearing aid for you, so give us a call right away for an evaluation.