It’s difficult to be apart from your hearing aid after you get used to using one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But just like all technology, though, it will have to be upgraded eventually.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to have routine hearing assessments to make sure your current hearing aid is still the best solution for your hearing needs, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. As your hearing changes, your latest hearing aid may not be the ideal solution anymore and with constantly advancing technology, some hearing aids will need to be upgraded sooner than others.
Your hearing aid longevity might be impacted by these factors
So, that’s just the typical life of a hearing aid. Meaning that there are plenty of people who may see their hearing aids last much longer. How long your hearing aids will last is based on a number of factors:
- How frequently your hearing aids are used: The more you wear your hearing aids, the sooner they will have to be replaced. That said, modern hearing aids are made to last. Perhaps, a better way to put it is that the more frequently you cycle power settings (turn the device off and on), the sooner you may need to invest in a new hearing aid.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve most likely decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the correct amount of power you require and are very precisely fine-tuned. You may need to upgrade to a more powerful device if your hearing gets worse.
- Build quality: Investing in hearing aids can be a bit costly. But, like with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like most technology, it will last longer the better you care for it. So, cleaning your hearing aid and doing regular maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping pace with constantly advancing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, TV, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you may want to upgrade.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. Usually, they will be custom molded to the shape of your ears and programmed to your specific needs. They are also a considerable investment. So it’s a common goal to get the most that you can out of your hearing aid.
And this is a very achievable goal. Taking good care of your hearing aids is the best thing you can do to make certain that your hearing aids last as long as they can. Try not to get them wet or drop them. Obviously, doing the recommended cleaning and maintenance is important.
Your hearing aid will usually work well for at least five years. Whether you can get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But at some point, you will have to make a choice. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids offer features you will most likely want. So, call us to schedule an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you determine which hearing aid is right for you.