How Long Do Hearing Aids Last and What Can Affect Their Lifespan?

When deciding on a new pair of hearing aids, it's important to consider how long they will last. Most modern high-quality hearing aids have an average life expectancy of between three and seven years. Learn more about factors that affect their lifespan.

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last and What Can Affect Their Lifespan?

When deciding on a new pair of hearing aids, it's important to consider how long they will last. Most modern, high-quality hearing aids have an average life expectancy of between three and seven years. Variables that affect this lifespan include the construction of the instrument, how well it is maintained, and how much wear it experiences when worn in the ear for many hours a day. In-ear hearing aids typically last four to five years, while behind-the-ear hearing aids have a lifespan of five to six years.

This is due to the construction of the hearing aid and the way they are worn. In-ear hearing aids are exposed to more humidity and higher temperatures due to the way they are worn, while behind-the-ear headphones are housed in a compartment that fits in the ear, keeping them away from the moisture of daily use. As with prescription glasses, hearing aids are programmed for your specific hearing loss, which should be checked regularly. If you have questions or concerns about your progress, be sure to call your hearing care professional for help.

Stream phone calls, TV and music directly to your hearing aids or connect wirelessly to other devices. Proper cleaning and maintenance of hearing aids is essential to avoid any damage, and it is also recommended to undergo regular checkups with an audiologist to make sure they work as they should. Identified several different reasons why people don't use their hearing aids when they have been fitted. The hearing aids can be made of silicone, plastic, metal and are covered with nano-coating, which fights moisture and debris.

Many hearing professionals recommend listening to recorded books as a way to practice listening and comprehension. Remember that your hearing loss has been gradual; over the years you have lost the ability to hear certain sounds in the speech spectrum and normal sounds from the environment, such as traffic and wind noise, machinery buzzing, and other background noises. If your device is less than 5 years old, but you still notice that your current hearing aids don't meet your hearing needs, you may need an adjustment rather than a replacement. For example, in countries where hearing aids and batteries are free, the financial reasons identified may not apply, but may be more important in countries where they are not free.

Although hearing aids are not indestructible, they are robust equipment and can be repaired. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for years. But they stop being useful if they no longer address their degree of hearing loss. The ideal time for a patient to consider new devices varies widely depending on the style of the device and how well it is maintained.

Brittney Weekly
Brittney Weekly

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