It’s difficult to be separated from your hearing aid once you get accustomed to having one. Let’s face it, if you want to stay connected to the world, your hearing aids are crucial. But just as any technology you use every day, it will periodically need to be replaced or upgraded.
The Average Hearing Aid Lifespan
So the normal hearing aid will last how long?3 to 5 years will be the normal lifespan of a typical hearing aid. But that’s not a strict rule, and you need to have your hearing examined regularly to be certain your hearing aid is still the best choice for you. Assuming your hearing doesn’t change, some models age more quickly than others and technology is constantly changing.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity May be Impacted by These Variables
But that’s just the average life of a hearing aid. Which means that there are plenty of people who might have their hearing aids last far longer. How long your hearing aids will last is determined by a number of considerations:
- The Hearing Aid’s Complexity: The more complex your hearing aid is, the more variables you have to contend with (meaning there’s more that can go wrong). However, sometimes you need that added complexity, and usually, it winds up being worth it. But added complex technology does present a breakability element. Modern hearing aids have gotten very clever about presenting more functionality via software rather than hardware, which does help.
- Changes to your hearing: Those little, easy to hide devices are will usually the choice of adults who use hearing aids. Those devices have the exact amount of power you need and are very precisely calibrated. So if your hearing gets worse (not ideal, obviously, but it does happen), you might need to switch to a more powerful set of hearing aids.
- Regular care and upkeep: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in a lot of 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 maintenance just as the manufacturer suggests.
- Capability: Technology is always changing, and hearing aids have been keeping up. If you want your hearing aids to sync up with your television, smartphone, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you may want to upgrade.
- Quality of Build: It’s expensive to buy hearing aids. But you normally get what you pay for, as with most things. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid is likely to last.
- How often you use your hearing aids: To a certain extent, the more frequently you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need to replace it. But modern hearing aids are manufactured to be used for long durations so that’s not always the case. It’s actually more accurate to say that if you turn the power on and off frequently, you will have to replace your hearing aid sooner.
Making Your Hearing Aids Last Longer
We need to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In many cases, they are programmed specifically for your ears and may have custom molds. Also, they are a significant investment. So getting the most value for your money getting your hearing aid to last as long as possible is a common goal.
And it’s one you can achieve. Caring for your hearing aids is the best thing you can do to make sure that your hearing aids last as long as possible. Don’t get them wet or drop them. And all the required maintenance and cleaning are things you should not neglect.
You’ll normally be able to get a good five years from your hearing aid. Whether it’s possible to get more than that is, often, up to chance. But sometimes it’s up to you. Inevitably, you will likely want the new features provided by modern hearing aids. So, schedule a hearing exam today to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you.
