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 it will periodically have to be upgraded or swapped out just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
A hearing aid will typically last 3 to 7 years. You will need to have regular 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. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid might not be the best solution anymore and with constantly developing technology, some hearing aids will have to be upgraded sooner than others.
There are other things that will influence the longevity of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have a “typical” longevity of 3 to 7 years. Meaning that there are lots of individuals who might see their hearing aids last much longer. Here are a number of factors that will establish how long your hearing aid should last:
- How frequently your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more often, you will need to get a new one sooner. That said, 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.
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is similar to most other pieces of technology in many ways so it should last longer if you maintain it better. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing frequent maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
- Build quality: It can be costly to purchase hearing aids. But, like with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. The more robust the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid will last.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those very small, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the correct amount of power you need and are very precisely calibrated. You may need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing worsens.
- Functionality: Technology is always changing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. You may want to upgrade your hearing aid if you want the sharpest sound or if you want to connect with you your smart-devices like your phone or TV.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
It’s significant to note that hearing aids are a really individual thing. Usually, they will be custom molded to the shape of your ears and programmed to your specific needs. The investment is also considerable. So getting the most you can out of your hearing aids is the common goal.
And this is a very achievable goal. The most practical thing you can do if you want your hearing aid to last is take good care of it. Try to keep them dry and don’t drop them if you can help it. Of course, doing the recommended cleaning and maintenance is essential.
You’ll typically be able to get a good five years out of your hearing aid. You might or might not get more than that. But sooner or later, you will have to decide. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids offer features you will most likely want. So, contact us to schedule an appointment for a hearing test right away. We’ll help you figure out which hearing aid is best for you.