It’s tough to be apart from your hearing aid after you get used to having one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But just like any technology, though, it will need to be upgraded eventually.
A hearing aid’s average lifespan
From 3 to 7 years will be the average lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to get regular hearing assessments to make sure your current hearing aid is still the best option for your hearing needs, and the 3 to 7 year lifespan isn’t etched in stone. As your hearing changes, your current hearing aid may not be the ideal solution anymore and with constantly advancing technology, some hearing aids will have to be upgraded sooner than others.
Your hearing aid longevity might be influenced by these factors
So, that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. Meaning that there are lots of individuals who might see their hearing aids last a lot longer. How long your hearing aids will last is based on quite a few considerations:
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re an adult and you use a hearing aid, you’ve most likely decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices have the right amount of power you require and are extremely precisely fine-tuned. You may need to switch to a more powerful device if your hearing worsens.
- Functionality: Technology is always changing and hearing aids are keeping pace with those changes. 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.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like any piece of technology, it will have a longer life the better you care for it. That’s why you should always keep your hearing aids clean and conduct routine maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Build quality: Purchasing hearing aids can be a bit pricey. But, you usually get what you pay for, like with anything in life. Your hearing aid will last longer if it has better construction.
- How frequently your hearing aids are worn: So if you wear your hearing aid more frequently, you will need a new one sooner. But that isn’t always the situation, modern hearing aids are made to be used for a long time. Actually, it may be more precise to say that the more times you turn the device on and off, the sooner it will wear out.
Can you make your hearing aids last longer?
We have to understand that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In most cases, they are programmed specifically for your hearing and will likely have custom molds. The investment is also considerable. So it’s a common goal to get the most that you can out of your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can accomplish. The best thing you can do if you want your hearing aid to last is take good care of it. Try to keep them dry and don’t drop them if you can help it. Of course, doing the recommended cleaning and maintenance is important.
Your hearing aid will normally work well for at least five years. Whether you’re able to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But at some point, you will have to make a choice. You will most likely, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids provide. We can help you determine the right hearing aid for you, so call us right away for an evaluation.