Once you get used to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to go without it. After all, your hearing aids are essential to connect with your world. But it will periodically have to be upgraded or swapped out just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the average lifespan of a hearing aid. But that’s not a set in stone rule, and you’ll need to get your hearing assessed periodically to be sure your hearing aid is still the best solution for your lifestyle. Technology is continuously progressing and some hearing aids need replacing more rapidly than others so it’s good to be open to other solutions should your hearing change.
Your hearing aid lifespan may be affected by these factors
So, that’s just the typical life of a hearing aid. Which means there are lots of people 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:
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you use a hearing aid, you’ve most likely selected one of those very tiny, easy to conceal devices. That style of hearing aid can be really precisely calibrated and will have just the right amount of power you need. You may need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing worsens.
- 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, television, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you might want to upgrade.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like most technology, it will have a longer life the better you care for it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing regular maintenance as the manufacturer recommends is something you should always do.
- How frequently your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more frequently, you will need a new one sooner. But that’s not always the situation, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. Maybe, a better way to put 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.
- Build quality: Buying hearing aids can be a bit costly. But, like with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. Usually, they will be specifically molded to the shape of your ears and tuned to your particular requirements. They are also a significant investment. So it’s a prevailing goal to get the most that you can from your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can achieve. The best 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 possible. Obviously, doing the required cleaning and maintenance is essential.
Your hearing aid will normally work well for at least five years. Whether you’re able to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But ultimately, you will have to decide. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids provide features you will probably want. So, contact us to schedule an appointment for a hearing test right away. We’ll help you figure out which hearing aid is right for you.