Once you get accustomed to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to go without it. Your hearing aids are, after all, your connection to the world around you. But it will occasionally need to be updated or swapped out just like all technology.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the typical lifespan of a hearing aid. But that isn’t a set in stone rule, and you’ll need to get your hearing assessed periodically to be sure your hearing aid is still the best option for your lifestyle. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid may not be the best solution anymore and with constantly improving technology, some hearing aids will have to be replaced sooner than others.
There are other things that will influence the longevity of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have an “average” lifespan of 3 to 7 years. So hearing might last much longer for some individuals. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by quite a few factors:
- Proper care & maintenance: A hearing aid is similar to most other types of technology in many ways so it should last longer if you take better care of it. That’s why you should always keep your hearing aids clean and perform regular maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: So if you use your hearing aid more often, you will need to get a new one sooner. That said, modern hearing aids are built to last. Actually, it might be more correct to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will wear out.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve most likely decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the exact amount of power you require and are extremely precisely calibrated. You might need to upgrade to a more powerful device if your hearing worsens.
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping up with continuously advancing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- Build quality: It can be expensive to buy hearing aids. But, like with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. Your hearing aid will last longer if it has better construction.
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 custom molded to the shape of your ears and tuned to your particular requirements. The investment is also substantial. So it’s a prevailing goal to get the most that you can out of your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can accomplish. 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 possible. Try not to drop them or get them wet. And make sure you do all the recommended maintenance and cleaning.
You’ll usually be able to get a good five years out of your hearing aid. You may or may not get more than that. But eventually, you will have to decide. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids offer features you will probably want. So, give us a call to schedule an appointment for a hearing exam right away. We’ll help you determine which hearing aid is best for you.