Once you get used to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to be without it. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But just like any technology, though, it will have to be upgraded eventually.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to get routine hearing assessments to be certain 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. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid may not be the best option anymore and with continually advancing technology, some hearing aids will have to be replaced sooner than others.
There are other things that will impact the lifespan of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have an “average” lifespan of 3 to 7 years. Which means there are lots of people who might see their hearing aids last much longer. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by a number of considerations:
- Build quality: It can be pricey to buy hearing aids. But, like with most things in life, you typically get what you pay for. Your hearing aid will be longer lasting if it has better construction.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably selected one of those very small, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the correct amount of power you require and are very precisely fine-tuned. You might need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing worsens.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more often, you will need to get a new one sooner. But that’s not always the situation, modern hearing aids are made to be used for long durations. Actually, it might be more precise to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will need replacing.
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in a lot of ways so it should have a longer life if you take better care of it. That’s why you should always keep your hearing aids clean and do regular maintenance according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Functionality: Technology is always advancing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. You may want to upgrade your hearing aid if you want the clearest sound or if you want to connect with you your smart-devices including your phone or TV.
How can you get the most out of your hearing aid?
We have to recognize that hearing aids are really personal things. Usually, they will be specifically molded to the shape of your ears and tuned to your particular needs. The investment is also substantial. So getting the most you can out of your hearing aids is the prevalent goal.
And this is a very attainable goal. 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. Obviously, doing the recommended cleaning and maintenance is important.
You’ll usually be able to get a good five years from your hearing aid. You might or might not get more than that. But at some point, you will have to make a decision. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids provide features you will probably want. So, give us a call to make an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you determine which hearing aid is right for you.