How Often Should You Replace Your Hearing Aids?

Unfortunately, your hearing aids are not going to last forever. Just like you probably don’t have the same computer now that you did 20 years ago, you’re not going to have the same hearing device either. With good care and maintenance, you can expect your hearing aid to last you for many years. However, there comes a time when you will need to replace your hearing device. With that in mind, we are going to explore this in further detail below.

How long do hearing aids usually last?

Hearing devices have an estimated lifespan of anywhere from three to seven years. There are a number of different factors that will determine how long a hearing aid may last. This includes how often you wear your hearing aid, the type of hearing device you have and how well you look after your hearing aid. Your lifestyle will also play a factor, as well as how effectively the hearing device has been made. 

Is your current hearing device addressing all of your hearing needs?

One of the main ways you will be able to determine whether or not you need to replace your hearing aid is by looking at whether it is still addressing all of your hearing needs. This is the first thing you need to look at. To do this, you should consider all of the various listening situations that you tend to experience, as well as how you feel your hearing device is assisting you in each of these situations. 

To help you get started, some of the different situations whereby you may rely on your hearing device at the moment are as follows:

• Attending religious services or lectures
• Listening to music
• Watching television
• Spending time outdoors
• Taking part in family gatherings
• Dining out at restaurants with family and friends
• Speaking on the phone

Once you have put together your own list of different situations whereby you need your hearing device, you can then rate your listening satisfaction per each situation. If you feel like your hearing device is not being as helpful as it should be in these situations, it is probably time to think about replacing your hearing aid.

Do you seem to be sending your hearing aid in for a repair more often than usual?

Hearing devices consist of sensitive electronic pieces that can be damaged when exposed to sweat, debris, earwax and humidity. Depending on conditions in the environment, wearing habits and individual ear characteristics, some people will encounter breakdowns with their hearing device more regularly than others. These issues can be made worse when a hearing device is not cleaned properly or dried afterwards every day. Wax can then be stuck in the receiver can be cleaned out, and specific parts can be changed, yet the performance of the hearing device could decline quicker. If you live in a humid and hot region, you have a lifestyle that is physically active, or you tend to produce excessive earwax, you may have to change your hearing device more regularly. 

Visit a hearing instrument specialist if you are unsure

If you are unsure whether or not you need to change your hearing aid device, the best thing you can do is get in touch with a hearing instrument specialist. They will be able to assess your current device to determine whether or not it is still working as effectively as it should be. It may not be that you don’t need a new hearing aid; it may simply be that your hearing instrument specialist simply needs to reprogram your device.

Either way, by speaking with a specialist, you will be able to get their expert opinion, and this can give you peace of mind. In some cases, the person’s hearing needs have changed and so it is simply that their device is no longer fit for purpose and, therefore, a different device may be better suited instead. You won’t know until you turn to an expert for help.

Contact us at Armand’s Hearing Center

If you have any questions about your hearing aids or you feel that you may need to replace your hearing device, you can contact a leading hearing instrument specialist at Armand’s Hearing Center and we will give you a helping hand. 

You can reach us at one of the following numbers, and one of our friendly and experienced team members will be more than happy to assist you, Bradenton: 941-748-9800 and Sun City: 813-938-1148