How Soon do Hearing Aids Need to be Upgraded?

Audiologist fits a hearing aid on mature man ear while visit a hearing clinic.

Once you get used to your hearing aid, it’s difficult to be without it. Your hearing aids are, after all, your link to the world around you. But it will periodically need to be upgraded or replaced just like all technology.

A hearing aid’s average lifespan

A hearing aid will typically last 3 to 7 years. You will need to have routine hearing assessments to be certain your current hearing aid is still the best solution for your hearing requirements, 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 continually improving technology, some hearing aids will have to be replaced sooner than others.

Your hearing aid longevity might be affected by these factors

So, that’s just the typical life of a hearing aid. Meaning that there are lots of people who may see their hearing aids last a lot longer. Here are a few considerations that will determine how long your hearing aid should last:

  • Proper care & maintenance: Like any piece of technology, it will last longer the better care you take of it. So, keeping your hearing aid clean and doing routine maintenance as the manufacturer recommends is something you should always do.
  • How often your hearing aids are worn: The more often you wear your hearing aids, the sooner they will have to be replaced. That said, modern hearing aids are built to last. Perhaps, a better way to put it is that the more often you cycle power settings (turn the device on and off), the sooner you might need to invest in a new hearing aid.
  • Changes to your hearing: Most grownups go for those really small hearing aids that hide easily. That type of hearing aid can be really precisely fine-tuned and will have just the right amount of power you require. If your hearing loss worsens, you might need to upgrade to a more powerful model.
  • Build quality: It can be costly to invest in hearing aids. But, you typically get what you pay for, like with most things in life. The better the construction quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
  • Functionality: Hearing aids have been keeping pace 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 may want to upgrade.

How can you get longer life out of your hearing aid?

It’s significant to note that hearing aids are a really individual thing. Usually, they will be specifically molded to the shape of your ears and tuned to your specific requirements. The investment is also substantial. So it’s a prevailing goal to get the most that you can out of your hearing aid.

And it’s one you can accomplish. Taking good care of your hearing aids is the most useful thing you can do to make certain that your hearing aids last as long as they can. Try not to get them wet or drop them. And make sure you do all the required maintenance and cleaning.

Your hearing aid will typically work well for at least five years. You may or may not get more than that. But eventually, you will have to decide. You will probably, inevitably, want some of the features that modern hearing aids offer. So, give us a call to make an appointment for a hearing test right away. We’ll help you determine which hearing aid is best for you.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.