Once you get accustomed to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to be without it. After all, your hearing aids are important to connect with your world. But just like all technology, though, it will have to be upgraded eventually.
A hearing aid’s typical lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to get routine hearing exams to be certain your current hearing aid is still the best solution for your hearing requirements, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid may not be the best solution anymore and with constantly advancing technology, some hearing aids will need to be upgraded sooner than others.
There are other factors that will affect the lifespan of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have a “typical” longevity of 3 to 7 years. So hearing may last a lot longer for some individuals. How long your hearing aids will last is based on a number of considerations:
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is similar to most other types of technology in a lot of ways so it should last longer if you maintain it better. So, cleaning your hearing aid and doing routine maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: So if you wear your hearing aid more frequently, you will need to get a new one sooner. That said, modern hearing aids are made to last. Maybe, a better way to say it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device off and on), the sooner you might need to get a new hearing aid.
- Changes to your hearing: Most adults pick out those really small hearing aids that hide easily. That type of hearing aid can be really precisely fine-tuned and will have just the right amount of power you require. You might need to switch to a more powerful device if your hearing worsens.
- Functionality: Technology is always advancing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. 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.
- Build quality: It can be pricey to invest in hearing aids. But, you typically get what you pay for, like with anything in life. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
Can you make your hearing aids last longer?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are really personal things. In most cases, they are tuned specifically for your ears and will likely have custom molds. They are also a considerable investment. So getting the most you can from your hearing aids is the prevalent goal.
And this is a very attainable goal. Taking good care of your hearing aids is the best thing you can do to be sure that your hearing aids last as long as they can. Try not to get them wet or drop them. Of course, doing the required cleaning and maintenance is important.
You’ll typically be able to get a good five years out of your hearing aid. Whether you can get more than that is, mostly, up to chance. But at some point, you will have to make a decision. You will most likely, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. So, give us a call to schedule an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you figure out which hearing aid is best for you.