How Long Do Hearing Aids Last

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?

Hearing aids are an amazing tool for addressing hearing loss. Reliable, quality hearing aids are a true investment in your health, assisting you with communication and navigating the world around you. Properly caring for your hearing aids will help you get the most from them and may prolong their life. As with any electronic device, it is also important to anticipate the expected lifespan of your hearing aids and to replace them when needed. 

Quality hearing aids are built to last. Combining state-of-the-art miniature components, powerful digital sound processing and a durable body made to withstand the challenging conditions of the ear canal, today’s hearing aids offer years of great hearing performance. To get the most from your assistive devices let’s quickly review how to care for them, then we’ll take a look at how to recognize when your hearing aids should be replaced.

 

Caring For Your Hearing Aids

For optimal performance and to prevent damage to your hearing aids, regular care is required. Cleaning your hearing aids is a straightforward process. In essence, your hearing aids should be kept free of dirt, debris and moisture. When you take your hearing aids out of your ears every night, inspect them for damage or irregularities. Wipe both hearing aids thoroughly with a clean dry cloth and store them in a dry, safe place. It is best to keep your hearing aids in a small drying box when they are not being used. A Drying box removes any moisture that may have formed on your devices, preventing malfunctioning and corrosion. 

When your day has been hot or strenuous remove your hearing aids periodically and wipe them dry to prevent sweat from affecting their performance. Keep your hearing aids away from any direct exposure to water. 

Periodically examine your hearing aids for damage. Hearing aids with disposable batteries may develop corrosion around the battery chamber that can lead to permanent damage to the device. Problems with the tubing or wiring of your device should also be detected and addressed in a timely fashion. 

 

The Lifespan of Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids don’t come with a set lifespan, but most people find that replacing their hearing devices every 4-6 years helps ensure they are hearing their best. Being prepared to replace your hearing aids with regularity helps to make sure you are using the best device for your hearing needs and that you can take advantage of new technology. 

With daily use, some components of your hearing aids may need significant attention, replacement or repair after five years. Hearing aids are built to resist damage in the demanding environment of the ear canal. Depending on your lifestyle, this can bring significant wear and tear to your hearing aids over time. 

While you are wearing your hearing aids your hearing specialist will be monitoring your hearing to make sure your hearing aids are programmed to meet your specific needs. Those needs can change over time. With hearing loss, gradual or sudden developments may shift you hearing ability into a class that your current hearing aids aren’t designed for. 

For instance, many hearing aids designed to be worn completely in the ear canal are well suited for mild hearing loss but too small to deliver the amplification needed for moderate or severe hearing loss. If your hearing loss worsens from mild to moderate, CIC (completely in canal) hearing aid may no longer be appropriate for you. Similarly, when hearing loss becomes profound, it is best served by special hearing aids with extra amplification capabilities. Hearing aids that were designed for mild to severe levels of hearing loss may not be able to work adequately for profound hearing loss.

Hearing aids are also developing new assistive features as they become technologically available. Regularly replacing your hearing aids means that you will be taking advantage of the latest features that are consistently making strides in delivering crisp, legible sound. Other advances blend hearing aid technology seamlessly with your lifestyle, such as rechargeable batteries and smartphone integration. 

Your hearing aids are designed for lasting performance, but it is important to plan ahead and remember that they will need to periodically be upgraded and replaced. When it is time to choose your next hearing aids, we’re here to help. We know the ins and outs of finding the right hearing aid for your needs, so contact us today!