It’s difficult to be separated from your hearing aid once you get used to using one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your connection to the world around you. But just like all technology, though, it will need to be upgraded eventually.
The average lifespan of a hearing aid
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. But that isn’t a set in stone rule, and you’ll need to have your hearing tested from time to time to be sure your hearing aid is still the best solution for your lifestyle. As your hearing changes, your latest hearing aid might not be the ideal solution anymore and with continually developing technology, some hearing aids will need to be replaced sooner than others.
Your hearing aid lifespan may be impacted by these factors
So, that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. So hearing may last much longer for some individuals. Here are a few considerations that will determine how long your hearing aid should last:
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping up with continuously changing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- How frequently your hearing aids are worn: The more often you use your hearing aids, the sooner they will have to be replaced. But that isn’t always the situation, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. Actually, it might be more correct to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will wear out.
- Build quality: Purchasing hearing aids can be a bit costly. But, you usually get what you pay for, like with anything in life. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the right amount of power you need and are extremely precisely calibrated. If your hearing loss gets worse, you might need to upgrade to a more powerful model.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like most technology, it will have a longer life the better care you take of it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing routine maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?
We have to recognize that hearing aids are really personal things. In most circumstances, they are tuned specifically for your hearing and will likely have custom molds. They are also a significant investment. So getting the most you can from your hearing aids is the common goal.
And it’s one you can accomplish. 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. And make sure you do all the required cleaning and maintenance.
Your hearing aid will typically work well for at least five years. Whether you can get more than that is, mostly, up to chance. But at some point, you will have to make a choice. You will probably, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. We can help you discover the best hearing aid for you, so contact us right away for an assessment.