How long do hearing aids last?
Scottsdale hearing specialist
Hearing aids can make a huge difference in the quality of a person’s life. We’ve certainly seen firsthand how much people’s lives generally improve after they can finally do things like have conversations without struggling and enjoy music and TV again. Hearing aids have even been shown to help protect the brain and prevent dementia, as well as reducing the risk of falls.
At the same time, a hearing aid represents a significant financial investment for most people – not to mention the time and energy required to get to appointments for fitting and adjusting it, and to get used to using a new device. Because of this, many people wonder how long that investment is going to last.
How long does a hearing aid last? When should you expect to replace it?
Hearing aids generally last for about three to seven years
It’s important to know that a hearing aid is not generally expected to be a lifetime device for most people. Depending on the specific device, the lifetime of a hearing aid can differ somewhat. Usually, a hearing aid will last for several years before wearing out and needing to be replaced.
Most commonly, hearing aids last for five to seven years, although some will wear out sooner – some are expected to last only for three years. As with any electronic product, individual devices may wear out sooner or later than expected. This is partly due to small differences in the manufacturing of each hearing aid, but it’s also related to how different people use and care for their hearing aids. Properly caring for your hearing aid can make it last longer. Still, it’s very likely that it will wear out in a few years, and you’ll need a new one.
Technology will continue to advance
Although it may at first sound disappointing to know that you’re probably going to need to replace your hearing aid in a few years, the truth is that you’ll probably actually want to replace it anyway. This is because the technology used in hearing aids is constantly advancing. In the future, a hearing aid will likely be available that has better features than your current one, is easier to use, and is smaller and more comfortable than the one you have now. You will almost certainly be excited to upgrade to the newer device.
This is why it’s not necessarily a priority for manufacturers to develop hearing aids that will last for many decades. They know that hearing aid technology will advance so much that today’s hearing aids will be obsolete in a few years anyway. Most people would like to take advantage of newer technology that makes their lives easier and better, even if they have to buy new hearing aids to do so.
Scottsdale hearing specialist
If you’re concerned about the lifetime of your hearing aid, we can recommend some particular devices that tend to have a longer lifespan. We can also help you to understand your various hearing aid options, so that you can decide which features are most important to you. You have quite a few choices when it comes to hearing aids, and the help of a professional hearing doctor is very valuable as you navigate making this decision.
Between them, Dr. Cassandra Fynes and Roger Knighton have decades of experience in the field of hearing health. They deeply understand the world of hearing aids, and would be happy to help you choose a hearing aid that you’ll be happy with for years to come. If you’d like to have someone friendly and knowledgeable guide you through the hearing aid selection process, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
