Once you adjust to using a hearing aid, it’s hard to be separated from it. After all, your hearing aids are crucial to connect to your world. But just as any technology you use on a daily basis, it will periodically need to be replaced or upgraded.
The Typical Hearing Aid Lifespan
So how long can you anticipate the typical hearing aid to keep working? The normal lifespan of a typical hearing aid is going to be between 3 and 5 years. But that’s not a strict rule, and you should have your hearing tested regularly to make sure your hearing aid is still the best choice for you. Assuming your hearing doesn’t change, some models age more quickly than others and technology is continuously changing.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity Might be Affected by These Factors
Because that’s only the average, right? Which means that hearing aids may last a lot longer for many individuals. How long your hearing aids will last is influenced by a number of factors:
- Capability: Technology is continuously changing, and hearing aids have been changing too. If you want your hearing aids to have the best sound, you might want to upgrade. This will also permit you to sync your device to your television, smartphone and other devices.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: To a certain extent, the more often you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need a new one. But that’s not always the case, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long periods. It’s really more valid to say that if you turn the power on and off a lot, you will need to replace your hearing aid sooner.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you use a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the exact amount of power you require and are very precisely calibrated. You might need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- Complexity of the hearing aid: The more complex your hearing aid is, the more variables you have to contend with (meaning there’s more that can go wrong). However, you might need that additional sophistication, and often, it winds up being worth it. But additional complex technology does introduce a breakability factor. Modern hearing aids have become very wise about introducing more functionality via software rather than hardware, which is helpful.
- Build quality: Hearing aids are costly. But you normally get what you pay for, as with most things. The better the build quality, the longer your hearing aid is likely to last.
- Maintenance and regular care: A hearing aid is like all other technology in many ways: it will last longer if you take better care of it. That’s why you should always clean your hearing aids and perform regular maintenance just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We have to acknowledge 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 goal to get the most that you can from your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can achieve. 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 possible. Dropping them or getting them wet are things you should never do if possible. And make sure you do all the necessary maintenance and cleaning.
Your hearing aids should last around five years. It’s often up to chance whether you can make them last longer than this. But sometimes it’s up to you. Inevitably, newer hearing aids provide features you will more than likely want. So, schedule an appointment for a hearing exam today to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you.