It’s difficult to be without your hearing aid once you get used to wearing one. After all, your hearing aids are key to connect to your world. But it will periodically need to be updated or replaced just like any technology.

The Typical Lifespan of a Hearing Aid

So how long can you anticipate the normal hearing aid to last? 3 to 5 years will be the average lifespan of a typical hearing aid. In order to make sure hearing aids are still your best choice, you need to have your hearing tested regularly because there’s no hard and fast rule. Technology is continuously changing and some hearing aids wear out more quickly than others, assuming your hearing doesn’t change.

Your Hearing Aid Longevity Might be Impacted by These Factors

But that’s only the average life of a hearing aid. Which means hearing aids could last a lot longer for many individuals. Here are a few factors that will define how long your hearing aids will last:

• Build quality: Hearing aids are costly. But you usually get what you pay for, like with so many things. The better the build quality, the longer your hearing aid should last.
• Functionality: Technology is always changing, and hearing aids have been changing too. If you would like your hearing aids to sync with your smartphone, television, or other devices, or to just have the clearest sound, you may want to upgrade.
• Changes to your hearing: Those small, 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 becomes worse (not ideal, obviously, but it does happen), you may need to switch to a more powerful set of hearing aids.
• 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. However, you might need that added complexity, and often, it ends up being worth it. But added complex technology does introduce a breakability factor. One thing that helps is that software upgrades instead of hardware upgrades have been skillfully employed for greater functionality in modern hearing aids.
• Maintenance and regular care: In a variety of ways, a hearing aid is like most other pieces of technology: the better you care for it, the longer it will last. That’s why you should always clean your hearing aids and conduct regular maintenance just as as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• How frequently your hearing aids are used: So if you wear your hearing aid more often, you will to replace it sooner. But that’s not always true, modern hearing aids are made to be used for long durations. It’s actually more accurate to say that if you turn the power on and off a lot, you will have to replace your hearing aid sooner.

Making Your Hearing Aids Last Longer

We have to acknowledge that hearing aids are pretty personal things. In many cases, they are programmed exclusively for your ears and may have custom molds. They are also 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 accomplish. Really, the best thing you can do to make sure your hearing aids last as long as possible is to care for them. Don’t drop them or get them wet. And all the required upkeep and cleaning are things you should not ignore.

You’ll usually be able to get around five years from your hearing aid. Whether it’s possible to get more than that is, generally, up to chance. But sometimes the ball’s in your court. Ultimately, you will likely want the new features provided by modern hearing aids. So, schedule an appointment for a hearing exam right away to find out which hearing aid is the best one for you.