It’s hard to be separated from your hearing aid after you get accustomed to using one. After all, your hearing aids are essential to connect with your world. But it will periodically have to be updated or replaced just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s typical lifespan
A hearing aid will usually last 3 to 7 years. But that’s not a set in stone rule, and you’ll need to get your hearing tested occasionally to be certain your hearing aid is still the best option for your lifestyle. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid might not be the best solution anymore and with constantly improving technology, some hearing aids will need to be replaced sooner than others.
Your hearing aid lifespan may be impacted by these factors
So hearing aids have a “typical” lifespan of 3 to 7 years. Meaning that there are lots of individuals who may see their hearing aids last a lot longer. Here are a few factors that will determine how long your hearing aid should last:
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you use a hearing aid, you’ve probably selected one of those very tiny, easy to conceal devices. Those devices have the exact amount of power you need and are very precisely fine-tuned. You might need to upgrade to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- Build quality: Purchasing hearing aids can be a bit pricey. 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.
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is similar to most other pieces of technology in many ways so it should have a longer life if you take better care 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: Technology is always advancing and hearing aids are keeping up with those changes. If you want your hearing aids to connect with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: The more often you wear your hearing aids, the sooner they will need to be replaced. But that’s not always the case, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for long durations. Actually, it may be more precise to say that the more times you turn the device on and off, the sooner it will need replacing.
How can you get the most out of your hearing aid?
It’s important to note that hearing aids are a very individual thing. Usually, they will be specifically molded to the shape of your ears and programmed to your specific needs. They are also a significant investment. So getting the most you can out of your hearing aids is the common goal.
And this is a very achievable goal. The most practical thing you can do if you want your hearing aid to last is take good care of it. Try not to let them get wet and don’t drop them if possible. And make sure you do all the recommended cleaning and maintenance.
You’ll typically be able to get a good five years out of your hearing aid. Whether you’re able to get more than that is, mostly, up to chance. But at some point, you will have to make a decision. You will probably, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids provide. We can help you discover the right hearing aid for you, so give us a call right away for an assessment.