It’s hard to be apart from your hearing aid after you get used to having one. Your hearing aids are, after all, your connection to the world around you. But it will periodically 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 average lifespan of a hearing aid. You will need to have routine hearing tests to be certain 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 latest hearing aid might not be the ideal solution anymore and with constantly developing technology, some hearing aids will have to be upgraded sooner than others.
There are other things that will influence the lifespan of your hearing aids
So hearing aids have a “typical” longevity of 3 to 7 years. So hearing might last a lot longer for some individuals. How long your hearing aids will last is based on quite a few factors:
- 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. But that isn’t always the case, modern hearing aids are intended to be used for a long time. Actually, it might be more correct to say that the more times you turn on and off the device, the sooner it will need replacing.
- Proper care & maintenance: Like most technology, it will last longer the better care you take of it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing regular maintenance according to the manufacturer’s advice is something you should always do.
- Build quality: Buying hearing aids can be a bit costly. But, you usually get what you pay for, like with most things in life. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
- Changes to your hearing: If you’re a grownup and you use a hearing aid, you’ve most likely selected one of those very small, easy to hide devices. That type of hearing aid can be really precisely fine-tuned and will have just the right amount of power you need. You might need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping up with constantly changing technology. If you want your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, TV, or other devices, or to just have the sharpest sound, you might want to upgrade.
Can you make your hearing aids last longer?
We have to understand that hearing aids are pretty personal things. Usually, they will be custom molded to the shape of your ears and programmed to your particular requirements. They are also a considerable investment. So getting the most you can from your hearing aids is the common goal.
And this is a very attainable goal. The best thing you can do if you want your hearing aid to last is take good care of it. Try not to drop them or get them wet. Of course, doing the required 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, mostly, up to chance. But eventually, you will have to decide. Inevitably, more modern hearing aids provide features you will probably want. So, call us to schedule an appointment for a hearing test right away. We’ll help you find out which hearing aid is right for you.