You’ve taken the tests, you’ve consulted with your audiologist, and you have your hearing aids—now how long can you expect them to last?
Since you’ll most likely be wearing the hearing aids for the rest of your life, the lifespan of your devices is an important thing to know. Keep reading to learn about how long a hearing aid lasts, and what you can do to preserve your hearing aids for as long as possible.
How Long Can Hearing Aids Last?
Hearing aids, when properly cared for and cleaned, can last around five years. While that may seem like a short time, hearing aids are just like other technologically advanced devices—like smartphones and computers, they don’t last forever.
After around five or six years, hearing aids start to get worn out and will not function as well as they may have in the past. Hearing aid technology is also rapidly changing, so think of it as upgrading your old hearing aids every few years for the latest and best model! Wearing old hearing aids (past the five-year mark) might cause you to miss important advancements in hearing technology.
Understanding the Five-Year Lifespan of Hearing Aids
You might be asking yourself, why don’t hearing aids last longer? Much like your smartphone, you probably use your hearing aid every day—and most people use their hearing aids for about 18 hours a day until you take them out to go to sleep.
The Impact of Everday Wear and Tear on Hearing Aid Lifespan
Anything that is used that often is not going to have an extraordinarily long life. Hearing aids are also exposed to the elements: air, moisture, wind, dirty, and wax for many hours a day. All this use and exposure contributes to the five-year lifespan of hearing aids.
For wax, try using a cleaning wire and brush to remove buildup. Wax buildup happens to be one of the most common reasons for malfunctioning hearing aids.
The materials used to make hearing aids also play a part. While plastic, metal, and silicon are durable, they are not invincible. However, you wouldn’t want to be putting steel or titanium hearing aids in your ears!
Hearing Aid Care for New and Old Hearing Aids
The best way to get the most out of your hearing aids is to take good care of them. First, make sure to clean them daily—intermittent or total lack of cleaning is a surefire way to turn new and old hearing aids alike into less than functioning devices.
Everyday Cleaning and Care
Everyday cleaning is an important part of hearing aid care, as is having them professionally cleaned at a hearing clinic every few months. It’s important to prevent any wax or moisture buildup which can prematurely age hearing aids. Understanding how to properly clean your hearing aids will help you keep your hearing aids in the best shape possible.
Proper Storage for Your Hearing Aids
Also, always store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. Think about getting a special dehumidifier case, which keeps hearing aids as dry as possible. Another solution for keeping your hearing aids sanitized and dry is to invest in a UV Dry Box. Always remove the batteries before storing your hearing aids, in order to prevent any battery corrosion on the inside of your devices.
If you keep up a daily cleaning routine and protect your hearing aids from moisture and other elements, your hearing aids should last you a full five years! While it may not seem like a long time for such complex electronic devices, hearing aid technology is ever-changing. Every five years can bring exciting new innovations straight to your ears!