Once you get used to using a hearing aid, it’s hard to be separated from it. After all, your hearing aids are key to connect to your world. But just like any technology you use daily, it will occasionally need to be replaced or updated.
The Average Lifespan of a Hearing Aid
So the typical hearing aid will last how long?The average lifespan of a typical hearing aid is going to be anywhere from 3 to 5 years. In order to make sure hearing aids are still your best option, you need to have your hearing tested regularly because there’s no definitive rule. Technology is constantly advancing and some hearing aids wear out more rapidly than others, assuming your hearing doesn’t change.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity Might be Affected by These Factors
Because that’s only the average, right? Which means hearing aids might last much longer for many individuals. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by a number of considerations:
- How frequently you wear your hearing aids: To a certain extent, the more often you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need to replace it. But modern hearing aids are manufactured to be used for long periods so that’s not always true. Perhaps a better way to say it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device on and off), the sooner you may need to get a new hearing aid.
- Quality of Build: Hearing aids are costly. But you normally get what you pay for, as with most things. Your hearing aid is likely to last longer if it is constructed better.
- Maintenance and regular care: 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’ll last. As per the manufacturer’s instructions, you should always perform routine upkeep and also clean your hearing aids.
- Capability: Technology is constantly changing, and hearing aids have been keeping up. If you would like your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- Your Hearing Changes: If you’re an adult and you wear a hearing aid, you’ve probably decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the exact amount of power you need and are very precisely calibrated. You might need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- 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 often, it winds up being worth it. But additional complex technology does introduce a breakability factor. One thing that helps is that software improvements instead of hardware upgrades have been cleverly implemented for greater functionality in modern hearing aids.
Making Your Hearing Aids Last Longer
We need to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In most cases, they are programmed exclusively for your ears and might have custom molds. Also, they are a considerable investment. So it’s a common objective to get the most that you can from your hearing aid.
And it’s an achievable one. 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 all the needed maintenance and cleaning are things you should not ignore.
Your hearing aids should last a good five years. It’s often up to chance whether you can get more than this. But sometimes it’s up to you. Ultimately, you will likely want the new features provided by more modern hearing aids. So, schedule a hearing exam right away to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you.