The typical lifespan of a hearing aid
As a general guide, hearing aids are designed to give around five years of everyday use. Some people find theirs serve them well for longer. Others replace them sooner because their hearing has changed or because a fault becomes uneconomic to repair. Five years is not a cut-off point, and a working hearing aid that still meets your needs does not have to be replaced just because it has reached a particular age.
Hearing aids live a hard life. They are worn for many hours a day, close to warm, moist skin and ear wax, and are taken in and out, dropped and occasionally knocked off. Seen that way, a lifespan of several years is a good return.
What affects how long hearing aids last?
Daily care
Wax and moisture are the main enemies of hearing aids. Regular cleaning, changing wax filters and domes, and storing aids properly overnight all help them last. Our guide on how to clean hearing aids sets out a simple routine.
Your ears and skin
Some people naturally produce more wax or have oilier skin. Their hearing aids may need servicing more often, but with regular attention they can last just as well.
Style of hearing aid
Custom in-the-ear aids sit fully in the ear canal, where heat and moisture are greatest. Behind-the-ear and receiver-in-canal aids keep most of the electronics outside the ear. Receivers on receiver-in-canal aids can be replaced separately, which can extend the life of the main aid.
Rechargeable batteries
Built-in rechargeable batteries gradually hold less charge over the years, like any rechargeable battery. Depending on the model, the battery may be serviceable by the manufacturer. If your rechargeable aids start running low before the end of the day, mention it to your audiologist.
Lifestyle
Sport, gardening, sweating, humid environments and dusty workplaces all put extra strain on hearing aids. Protective covers, drying routines and careful storage can help.
Signs it may be time to upgrade your hearing aids
- Your hearing has changed. If you are turning the volume up more often or struggling in places you used to manage, your hearing may have moved beyond what the aids can provide.
- Frequent repairs. If an aid keeps going back for the same fault, replacing it may be more reliable than repeated repairs.
- Parts are no longer available. Manufacturers eventually stop supporting older models.
- Your needs have changed. You might now want rechargeable aids, Bluetooth streaming, a smaller style or better help with TV and phone calls.
- Comfort. Ear shapes change over time and older custom shells or earmoulds can become loose or sore.
- Background noise. If busy places have become hard work again, newer technology and a fresh fitting may help.
Repair or replace?
A fault does not always mean the end of a hearing aid. Common problems such as a blocked receiver, a worn tube, a cracked dome or a faulty receiver wire are often quick to put right. An audiologist can usually tell you whether a repair is worthwhile, taking into account the age of the aid, the likely cost, and whether it still suits your hearing.
If your aids are older and your hearing has changed, it often makes sense to have a hearing test before deciding. That way you know whether the aids can be reprogrammed to suit you or whether newer technology would serve you better.
When you do replace your hearing aids, consider keeping the old pair if they still work. A spare set can be useful as a backup while a newer aid is away for repair, or if one is lost. Your audiologist can tell you whether the old aids can be set to a sensible programme for occasional use, and it is worth keeping them clean and stored in their case so they are ready if needed.
How warranty and aftercare help
A manufacturer’s warranty covers faults in the hearing aid for a set period. Aftercare covers the ongoing adjustments, cleaning and checks that keep the aids working well. Together they protect your investment, but they are different from insurance, which is about loss and accidental damage. Our guide to hearing aid insurance explains the difference.
At Sutton Hearing Care, every pair of hearing aids we supply includes a 5-year manufacturer warranty and 5 years of aftercare, covering adjustments, cleaning and servicing. That means the period in which most hearing aids are expected to give their best is supported from the start.
Thinking about new hearing aids in Sutton Coldfield?
If your hearing aids are getting older, or you are not sure whether to repair or replace them, come and see us in Streetly. A free hearing test of up to 90 minutes shows whether your hearing has changed, and we can check your current aids at the same visit. We also service most makes, including aids bought elsewhere, through our hearing aid repairs service.
If you do choose new aids, you can try them at home for 14 days first, and every purchase comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. See our hearing aid prices, call 0121 369 0780, or book online.