Once you get used to wearing a hearing aid, it’s hard to be without it. After all, your hearing aids are crucial to connect to your world. But just like any technology you use on a daily basis, it will periodically need to be replaced or updated.
The Typical Lifespan of a Hearing Aid
So how long can you anticipate the normal hearing aid to keep working? 3 to 5 years will be the average lifespan of a typical hearing aid. So that you can be certain hearing aids are still your best option, you need to have your hearing examined regularly because there’s no definitive rule. Assuming your hearing doesn’t change, some models wear out more rapidly than others and technology is constantly changing.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity Might be Impacted by These Factors
But that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. Which means that there are plenty of people who might have their hearing aids last much longer. Here are a few factors that will determine how long your hearing aids will last:
- Your Hearing Changes: If you’re an adult and you have a hearing aid, you’ve probably gone with one of those little, easy to hide devices. 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 frequently your hearing aids are worn: To a certain degree, the more often you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need a replacement. But that’s not always the case, modern hearing aids are meant to be used for long periods. Maybe a better way to say it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device on and off), the sooner you might have to get a new hearing aid.
- Capability: Technology is always changing, and hearing aids have been changing too. If you want your hearing aids to have the clearest sound, you might want to upgrade. This will also allow you to sync your device to your television, smartphone and other devices.
- Regular care and upkeep: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in a lot of ways: the better you take care of it, the longer it will last. As per the manufacturer’s guidelines, you should always perform regular upkeep and also clean your hearing aids.
- 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 sophistication, and often, it ends up being worth it. But added complex technology does present a breakability element. Advanced hearing aids have become very clever about introducing more functionality via software rather than hardware, which is helpful.
- Build quality: Hearing aids are costly. But, as with most things in life, you normally get what you pay for. Your hearing aid is likely to last longer if it is constructed better.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We need to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. They might have custom molds and in the majority of cases are programmed specifically for you. They are also a significant investment. So it’s a common objective to get the most that you can from your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can achieve. Really, the best thing you can do to make certain your hearing aids last as long as possible is to care for them. Dropping them or getting them wet are things you should not do if possible. And all the required maintenance and cleaning are things you should never ignore.
You’ll usually be able to get a good five years out of a hearing aid. It’s often up to chance whether you can make them last longer than this. But sometimes the ball’s in your court. Inevitably, you will likely want the new features offered by modern hearing aids. So, schedule a hearing test today to find out which hearing aid is best for you.
