Once you get used to wearing a hearing aid, it’s difficult to be separated from it. After all, your hearing aids are essential to connect to your world. But just like any technology you use every day, it will occasionally need to be replaced or upgraded.
The Typical Lifespan of a Hearing Aid
So how long can you expect the average hearing aid to keep working? 3 to 5 years will be the average lifespan of a typical hearing aid. But that’s not a hard and fast rule, and you should have your hearing tested periodically to be certain your hearing aid is still the best choice for you. Technology is continuously changing and some hearing aids wear out more rapidly than others, assuming your hearing doesn’t change.
Variables That Might Impact Your Hearing Aid Longevity
But that’s only the average life of a hearing aid. Which means there are lots of people who may see their hearing aids last far longer. Here are a number of factors that will define how long your hearing aids will last:
- Changes to your hearing: Those tiny, easy to hide devices are often the choice of adults who wear hearing aids. Those devices have the exact amount of power you need and are very precisely calibrated. You may need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- How often you wear your hearing aids: So if you use your hearing aid more often, you will to replace it sooner. But that’s not always the case, modern hearing aids are meant to be used for long periods. Perhaps a better way to say it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device on and off), the sooner you may need to get a new hearing aid.
- Regular care and maintenance: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in a lot of ways: it will last longer if you take better care of it. That’s the reason why you should always clean your hearing aids and conduct regular upkeep just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Functionality: Technology is continuously changing, and hearing aids have been changing too. If you would like your hearing aids to sync up with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the best sound, you may want to upgrade.
- Complexity of the hearing aid: A lot more can go wrong with your hearing aid if it’s more complex because there are more variables to contend with. Don’t get me wrong sometimes you need that additional complexity, and often, it winds up being worth it. But added complex technology does introduce a breakability factor. Advanced hearing aids have gotten quite clever about introducing more functionality via software rather than hardware, which is helpful.
- Quality of Build: Hearing aids are expensive. But, as with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. Your hearing aid is likely to last longer if it is built better.
Making Your Hearing Aids Last Longer
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In most instances, they are programmed exclusively for your ears and may have custom molds. They are also a significant investment. So getting the most bang for your buck getting your hearing aid to last as long as possible is a common goal.
And it’s one you can achieve. Really, the best thing you can do to make sure your hearing aids last as long as possible is to care for them. Try not to get them wet or drop them. And all the needed upkeep and cleaning are things you should never ignore.
Your hearing aids should last a good five years. Whether you will be able to get more than that is, often, up to chance. But often times it’s up to you. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids offer features you will most likely want. So, in order to determine which hearing aid is the best one for you, schedule a hearing exam today.