It’s tough to be apart from your hearing aid after you get accustomed to using one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But it will periodically have to be updated or swapped out just like all technology.
The normal lifespan of a hearing aid
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to get regular hearing exams to be certain your current hearing aid is still the best solution for your hearing requirements, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. Technology is constantly improving and some hearing aids wear out sooner than others so it’s good to be open to other solutions should your hearing change.
There are other factors that will affect the lifespan of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have a “typical” lifespan of 3 to 7 years. Meaning that there are lots of people who may see their hearing aids last a lot longer. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by quite a few factors:
- How often your hearing aids are worn: The more often you use your hearing aids, the sooner they will need to be replaced. Having said that, modern hearing aids are made to last. Actually, it may be more precise to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will wear out.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you use a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those very tiny, easy to conceal devices. That style of hearing aid can be very precisely calibrated and will have just the right amount of power you need. If your hearing loss worsens, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful model.
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in many ways so it should have a longer life if you take better care of it. That’s why you should always clean your hearing aids and conduct regular maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Build quality: Buying hearing aids can be a bit pricey. But, as with most things in life, you typically get what you pay for. Your hearing aid will be longer lasting if it has better construction.
- Functionality: Technology is constantly advancing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. If you want your hearing aids to connect with your smartphone, TV, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you might want to upgrade.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to understand that hearing aids are really personal things. In most circumstances, they are tuned specifically for your hearing and will likely have custom molds. The investment is also substantial. So getting the most you can from your hearing aids is the prevalent 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 possible. Try to keep them dry and don’t drop them if possible. And be certain you do all the required maintenance and cleaning.
You’ll normally be able to get a good five years out of your hearing aid. You might or might not get more than that. But ultimately, you will have to make a decision. You will probably, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids provide. So, contact us to make an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you determine which hearing aid is right for you.