Like all pieces of technology that sustain heavy use, hearing aids don’t last forever. Hearing aid users upgrade or replace their hearing aids every five to seven years, on average, and there are many reasons why that might be necessary. Here are some of them:
Normal Wear and Tear
Hearing aids are used heavily throughout their lifespan, working for several hours every day. Even when you take great care of them, that kind of heavy usage will wear down the electrical system and digital components, and their exposure to the elements and rough handling can ding them up a bit. As the materials age and weaken, an upgrade may become necessary.
Your Ears Change
As you age, your hearing loss will likely continue to progress. This could be due to age, noise exposure, health or lifestyle changes. As your hearing loss progresses, it may necessitate a stronger prescription or dynamic changes to your hearing aid settings, and it’s possible that your current hearing aids can’t accommodate those changes. In that event, it’s time for an upgrade to something that can continue to serve your hearing needs.
Your Lifestyle Changes
A hearing aid style you liked a few years ago may no longer suit you, or you may want to switch to a sleeker, more discreet style, or perhaps you prefer something that feels more secure and snug. Preferences change, and it’s okay to upgrade your hearing aids if you don’t like them anymore. Your hearing aids are an essential tool to improve your quality of life; don’t do yourself the disservice of disliking them.
Your lifestyle may also change in a way that is incompatible with your current hearing aids. For example, if you take up cycling, you’ll need a hearing aid that can withstand a new active lifestyle and suppress wind noise, or if you start travelling more, you may decide that replaceable batteries suit you better than rechargeable.
Damage or Loss
Despite your best efforts to take care of them, hearing aids commonly get damaged or lost. They’re susceptible to damage from drops or from moisture, and due to their small size, they can easily get lost. If your hearing aids are damaged, our clinic can service them; however, some damage may be beyond repair.
Technological Advances
Another reason why people upgrade their hearing aids every five years is that technology advances significantly during that time. Your cutting-edge hearing aids from five years ago may now seem rather basic compared to today’s hearing aids. Many hearing aid users report a significantly better hearing experience every time they upgrade, simply because technology improves substantially year after year.
If you think it’s time for an upgrade or want to discuss hearing aid technology advancements, call Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center today and speak with one of our audiologists. Our expertise can help you decide if it’s time for an upgrade.