It’s hard to be separated from your hearing aid once you get used to having one. After all, your hearing aids are essential to connect to your world. But just as any technology you use on a daily basis, it will periodically 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 between 3 and 5 years. So that you can make sure hearing aids are still your best option, you should have your hearing tested regularly because there’s no definitive rule. Assuming your hearing doesn’t change, some models age more quickly than others and technology is continuously changing.
Your Hearing Aid Longevity Might be Influenced by These Variables
But that’s only the average life of a hearing aid. Which means hearing aids might last much longer for many individuals. Here are a few factors that will determine how long your hearing aids will last:
- Maintenance and regular care: A hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology in many ways: the better you care for it, the longer it will last. That’s the reason why you should always clean your hearing aids and do regular maintenance just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
- How often your hearing aids are used: To a certain extent, the more frequently you wear your hearing aid, the sooner you’ll need a new one. But that’s not always true, modern hearing aids are meant to be used for long durations. Maybe 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 have to get a new hearing aid.
- Your Hearing Changes: If you’re an adult and you have a hearing aid, you’ve most likely decided on one of those very tiny, easy to hide devices. Those devices tend to be very precisely calibrated and they have precisely the amount of power you require. You may need to switch to a more powerful hearing aid if your hearing gets worse.
- Complexity of the hearing aid: A lot more can go wrong with your hearing aid if it’s more complex because there are more variables to contend with. Don’t get me wrong you might need that additional complexity, and often, it winds up being worth it. But added complex technology does present a breakability factor. Advanced hearing aids have become very wise about presenting more functionality using software instead of hardware, which does help.
- Capability: Hearing aids have been keeping up with constantly advancing technology. If you want your hearing aids to have the best sound, you may want to upgrade. This will also allow you to sync your device to your television, smartphone and other devices.
- Quality of Build: It’s costly to buy hearing aids. But you usually get what you pay for, like with so many things. Your hearing aid is likely to last longer if it is built better.
Can You Make Your Hearing Aids Last Longer?
We need to recognize that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In many cases, they are programmed exclusively for your ears and may have custom molds. Also, they are a significant 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 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 be sure to do all the required maintenance and cleaning.
Your hearing aids should last around five years. Whether you will be able to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But often times it’s up to you. Ultimately, modern hearing aids provide features you will most likely want. So, schedule a hearing test today to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you.