If you have been fitted with a hearing aid, you know just how life-changing they are. However, just like most devices and technology, they don’t have a limitless lifespan. Hearing aids can last up to seven years, although most will have a lifespan between three and five years. Some variables will impact how long your hearing aid will last, including how well it is maintained, how much wear and tear it has, and the quality of the device.
Of course, the most noticeable alert that your hearing aid will need to be replaced is that it stops working. However, you may wish to upgrade ahead of that moment. Here are a few moments where you might like to update your hearing aid.
Can a Hearing Aid Wear Out?
Hearing aids, like any other electrical gadget, can break down. Most of the time, it’s the little printed circuit board that degrades with time, but moisture and wax can permeate it and cause short circuits, jamming the amplifier.
In many circumstances, if the amplifier is independent of the hearing aid and is situated within the ear, the amplifier part can be readily replaced. Your audiologist simply breaks it off with a unique tool and replaces it with a new one.
Can I Update an Uncomfortable Hearing Aid?
If you have a hearing aid that isn’t comfortable, you might not need to upgrade. Instead, you might prefer to have your uncomfortable hearing aid adjusted to make sure that it fits correctly.
If you have an older hearing aid model, then an update can provide you with better and more comfortable material.
Often as children grow, their hearing aids may become uncomfortable, but a new earmold is often the answer to this issue. If your ear shape changes and you have an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, such as a full shell or a half shell, you’ll need to update the whole hearing aid. This is due to the difficulty of transferring internal circuit boards across designs.
Lifestyle Changes
Changes in your lifestyle may indicate that you need to upgrade your hearing aid. Living situation changes, new interests including sports, new work environment and other changes might mean that your original hearing aid might not be the best suited to you.
If you have switched to a job that is based more online, involving meetings and calls from the web or you have taken on a role that requires you to teach or communicate more often. Perhaps you have moved in with family, a new partner or you have a new baby, you will wish to have something that suits your lifestyle better. You may wish to have a hearing aid with more power and new features.
Hearing Changes
Remember that age-related hearing loss is a degenerative disorder that worsens with age. If your hearing aids aren’t performing as well as they used to, it’s time to see your audiologist for an adjustment.
Your hearing may deteriorate to the point that it is no longer within the range of your existing hearing aids. You may need to upgrade to a more powerful instrument with additional features to satisfy your evolving requirements.
Your Hearing Aid Is Four Years Old or Older
Although your hearing aid can comfortably last up until seven years old, you should get your hearing aid checked over at four years old. This is because the technology inside the aid will no longer be as cutting-edge as it once was. There might be a build-up of filth and dust or the hardware could be worn out. In any case, it’s advisable to find a replacement as quickly as possible. Otherwise, your equipment may break and cause hearing loss.
A chat with your audiologist will give you all the information you need for a hearing aid around four years old or older.
You Want to Try New Technology
As hearing aid technology advances, you might want to try some newer features. There are some options that have automatic value and setting adjustments; while there are some options that provide more ease of use. You might also prefer to have a hearing aid that has a mobile application or something that reduces the complicated user face that some hearing aids have.
There are many reasons you might wish to update your hearing aid to try new technology, lifestyle changes or your hearing aid might be a few years old. Whatever the reason, book an appointment with Allison Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, P.C at Houston: 713-827-1767
