It’s difficult to be without your hearing aid once you get used to using one. Let’s face it, if you want to stay connected to the world, your hearing aids are essential. But it will periodically need to be updated or replaced just like all technology.
The Average Hearing Aid Lifespan
So how long can you anticipate the average hearing aid to keep working? The average lifespan of a typical hearing aid is going to be between 3 and 5 years. But that’s not a hard and fast rule, and you need to have your hearing tested regularly to make certain your hearing aid is still the best option for you. Technology is continuously 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 just the average, right? Which means that there are lots of people who might have their hearing aids last far longer. How long your hearing aids will last is influenced by a number of considerations:
- Functionality: Technology is always changing, and hearing aids have been changing too. If you want your hearing aids to have the best sound, you might want to upgrade. This will also allow you to sync your device to your television, smartphone and other devices.
- Changes to your hearing: Those little, easy to hide devices are often the choice of adults who wear hearing aids. Those devices have the exact amount of power you require and are very precisely calibrated. So if your hearing becomes worse (not ideal, obviously, but it does happen), you may need to switch to a more powerful set of hearing aids.
- Upkeep and regular care: A hearing aid is like all other technology in many ways: the better you care for it, the longer it will last. That’s why you should always clean your hearing aids and perform regular upkeep just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- How often your hearing aids are worn: To a certain degree, the more frequently you use your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need a replacement. 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 could have to get a new hearing aid.
- 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). Don’t get me wrong sometimes you need that additional sophistication, and usually, it winds up being worth it. But additional complex technology does introduce a breakability factor. Advanced hearing aids have gotten quite wise about presenting more functionality using software instead of hardware, which does help.
- Quality of Build: Hearing aids are costly. But, like so many things, you normally get what you pay for. The better the build quality, the longer your hearing aid is likely to last.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. They might have custom molds and in many cases are programmed especially for your ears. Also, they are a significant investment. So it’s a common goal to get the most out of your hearing aid.
And it’s one you can accomplish. Really, the best thing you can do to make sure your hearing aids last as long as possible is to take care of them. Getting them wet or dropping them are things you should never do if possible. And all the required maintenance and cleaning are things you should never neglect.
You’ll normally be able to get around five years out of a hearing aid. Whether it’s possible to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But sometimes it’s up to you. Ultimately, more modern hearing aids provide features you will more than likely want. So, in order to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you, schedule a hearing test right away.
