Once you adjust to wearing a hearing aid, it’s difficult to be separated from it. After all, your hearing aids are crucial to connect to your world. But it will occasionally need to be updated or replaced just like any technology.
The Normal Lifespan of a Hearing Aid
So how long can you anticipate the normal hearing aid to last? 3 to 5 years will be the normal lifespan of a typical hearing aid. In order to be sure hearing aids are still your best choice, you need to have your hearing checked regularly because there’s no definitive rule. Technology is constantly changing and some hearing aids wear out more quickly than others, assuming your hearing doesn’t change.
Factors That May Influence Your Hearing Aid Longevity
But that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. Which means that there are plenty of people who may see their hearing aids last much longer. How long your hearing aids will last is influenced by a number of considerations:
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you use a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those little, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the exact amount of power you require and are very precisely calibrated. So if your hearing becomes worse (not ideal, obviously, but it does happen), you may need to switch to a more powerful set of hearing aids.
- Build quality: It’s costly to buy hearing aids. But, like so many things, you normally get what you pay for. Your hearing aid will probably last longer if it is built better.
- Capability: Technology is continuously changing, and hearing aids have been keeping up. If you want your hearing aids to have the clearest sound, you might want to upgrade. This will also allow you to sync your device to your smartphone, television and other devices.
- How frequently you wear your hearing aids: To a certain degree, the more frequently you use your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need a new one. But that’s not always the case, modern hearing aids are made to be used for long periods. It’s actually more valid to say that if you turn the power on and off a lot, you will need to replace your hearing aid sooner.
- Frequent care and upkeep: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in a lot of ways: the better you take care of it, the longer it will last. As per the manufacturer’s guidelines, you should always perform regular maintenance and also clean your hearing aids.
- Complexity of the hearing aid: A lot more can go wrong with your hearing aid if it’s more complex because there are more variables to contend with. However, you might need that additional sophistication, and usually, it ends up being worth it. But added complex technology does present a breakability factor. One thing that helps is that software upgrades rather than hardware upgrades have been skillfully employed for greater functionality in current day hearing aids.
Making Your Hearing Aids Last Longer
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In many cases, they are programmed specifically for your ears and might have custom molds. Also, they are a significant investment. So getting the most value for your money getting your hearing aid to last as long as possible is a common goal.
And it’s one you can accomplish. Really, the best thing you can do to make certain your hearing aids last as long as possible is to care for them. Don’t drop them or get them wet. And make sure you do all the necessary maintenance and cleaning.
You’ll usually be able to get around five years from your hearing aid. Whether you can get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But there comes a time when you have to make a choice. Ultimately, you will likely want the new features offered by modern hearing aids. So, in order to determine which hearing aid is best for you, schedule a hearing exam today.