Hearing aids will typically last around five to seven years before needing replacement. However, it’s not always quite as simple as that. Depending on your individual circumstances, your hearing aids may last longer or may require replacement sooner.
It’s not possible to provide a blanket answer that applies to everyone. Instead, you’ll need to assess your personal situation and determine whether new hearing aids might be right for you.
Changes in your hearing
First of all, you should be regularly monitoring your hearing and the performance of your hearing aids. Over time, you may notice a decline in your hearing. This may be a general decline you notice constantly, or increasing trouble hearing in specific circumstances.
If you notice your hearing worsening, it could have to do with your health, and it’s always a good idea to get regular check-ups with a doctor to assess your hearing. It’s also possible that the decline in your hearing is due to worsening performance by your hearing aid.
Regardless of the source of the problem, if your hearing takes a turn for the worse it may be a sign that you need new hearing aids. Consulting with a doctor or hearing specialist can point you in the right direction in choosing the best option for your hearing.
Changes in lifestyle that require new technology
Sometimes, the catalyst for needing a new hearing aid won’t come from your hearing itself, but rather your lifestyle.
You might encounter changes at work, like having to attend more meetings and conference calls where your hearing needs to be sharp. Your social life might start to take you out of the house more to events and get-togethers. Or you may find yourself caring for or entertaining family members on a long-term basis.
Any of these situations may require you to start wearing your hearing aid nearly all the time rather than part-time. As a result, you might decide that a new hearing aid will suit your needs more effectively.
Your listening experience could benefit from new technology
Like with many technology-based fields, advances continue to be made in creating better, more specialized hearing aids. Even if you’ve purchased a hearing aid fairly recently, you may discover that a newer model offers you something that will improve your quality of life.
The latest models of hearing aids are breaking new ground in terms of size and discreteness, as well as offering a range of other features. Newer hearing aids are specialized for improved noise control, and have superior control systems that are easier to adjust for people with arthritis or other physical limitations.
Your hearing aids are in disrepair
The human ear isn’t the most pristine setting when it comes to maintaining a mechanical device. Both moisture and earwax can cause issues in hearing aids over time.
It’s possible for a hearing aid to ‘go bad’ quickly, with very noticeable declines in performance. Or, you may experience a more gradual decline that might not be immediately apparent.
If your hearing aid reaches the five-year mark, there’s a pretty good chance that time and wear have taken their toll. It may be time to upgrade to a new set of hearing aids.
Quick Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Hearing Aids Functional
There are a number of things you can do to maximize the lifespan of your hearing aids. Here are a handful of useful maintenance tips:
- Avoid exposing your hearing aids to excessive moisture by removing them before showering, bathing, swimming and similar activities.
- Clean and dry your hands before handling your hearing aids.
- Don’t store your hearing aids in the bathroom, where it can be subject to excessive moisture.
- Avoid any accidental contact between make up or hairspray and your hearing aid.
- Store your hearing aids someplace out of the reach of any pets or children, who can damage the hearing aid accidentally.
Schedule a professional hearing test
The best and surest way to make sure your hearing aid is up to par is to schedule a hearing test with a credentialed professional.
An appointment with a professional hearing specialist can benefit your hearing in a number of ways. You can get your hearing aids checked out and fixed if necessary. You can check your hearing levels and address any possible decline or new issues with your hearing. And you can make a plan for keeping your hearing at its best and most functional, whether that requires upgrading to a new hearing aid or not.