It’s difficult to be separated from your hearing aid after you get accustomed to having one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your connection to the world around you. But it will periodically have to be updated or replaced just like all technology.
The average lifespan of a hearing aid
From 3 to 7 years will be the average lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to have regular hearing assessments to be certain your current hearing aid is still the best option for your hearing requirements, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. Technology is continuously progressing and some hearing aids wear out more rapidly than others so it’s good to be open to other solutions should your hearing change.
There are other things that will influence the longevity of your hearing aids
So, that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. Which means there are plenty of people who might see their hearing aids last a lot longer. Here are a few factors that will establish how long your hearing aid should last:
- 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.
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping pace with constantly changing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, TV, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- 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 more robust the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
- Changes to your hearing: Most adults go for those really small hearing aids that hide easily. That type of hearing aid can be very precisely fine-tuned and will have exactly the right amount of power you need. You might need to upgrade to a more powerful device if your hearing gets worse.
- How often your hearing aids are used: The more you use your hearing aids, the sooner they will need to be replaced. But that’s not always the situation, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. 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 may need to invest in a new hearing aid.
Can you make your hearing aids last longer?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. Usually, they will be custom molded to the shape of your ears and tuned to your particular requirements. They are also a considerable 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. 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. Of course, doing the required cleaning and maintenance is important.
Your hearing aid will typically work well for at least five years. You may or may not get more than that. But sooner or later, you will have to decide. You will most likely, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. We can help you determine the right hearing aid for you, so give us a call right away for an evaluation.