It’s difficult to be separated from your hearing aid once you get accustomed to having one. After all, your hearing aids are key 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 normal hearing aid to keep working? 3 to 5 years will be the average lifespan of a typical hearing aid. But that’s not a hard and fast rule, and you need to have your hearing examined periodically 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 constantly changing.
Variables That May Affect Your Hearing Aid Longevity
But that’s only the average life of a hearing aid. Which means that there are a lot of people who might have their hearing aids last far longer. Here are a number of factors that will determine how long your hearing aids will last:
- Upkeep and regular care: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in many ways: the better you care for it, the longer it’ll last. That’s the reason why you should always clean your hearing aids and do regular maintenance just as the manufacturer suggests.
- Your Hearing Changes: Those tiny, easy to hide devices are will usually the choice of adults who wear hearing aids. Those devices are usually very precisely calibrated and they have exactly the amount of power you require. You might need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: To a certain extent, the more frequently you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need to replace it. But modern hearing aids are designed to be used for long periods so that’s not always the case. 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.
- Build quality: Hearing aids are expensive. But, like so many things, you commonly get what you pay for. Your hearing aid is likely to last longer if it is built better.
- Functionality: Technology is constantly 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 allow you to sync your device to your television, smartphone and other devices.
- 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 added sophistication, and usually, it winds up being worth it. But added complex technology does introduce a breakability element. One thing that helps is that software improvements rather than hardware upgrades have been skillfully implemented for better functionality in modern hearing aids.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In most instances, they are programmed exclusively for your ears and may have custom molds. Also, they are a considerable 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 take care of them. Getting them wet or dropping them are things you should never do if possible. And all the required upkeep and cleaning are things you should never neglect.
Your hearing aids should last a good five years. Whether it’s possible to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But sometimes the ball’s in your court. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids provide features you will probably want. So, in order to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you, schedule a hearing exam right away.