How long can you expect your hearing aid to last? Hearing aids are life-transforming medical devices that allow you to live up to your full potential at work and in your personal life. With the assistance of a hearing aid, not only will you experience improvements in your hearing, but you may also improve your ability to concentrate, improve your communication skills, and reduce your risks of falling.
Part of Toronto Hearing Consultants’ mission is ensuring that you get the perfect hearing aids for your needs as part of the Toronto hearing services that we provide. We are an independent audiology clinic. Unlike many other clinics, we are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer. In addition to providing hearing tests and programming hearing aids to match your specific needs, we find the right hearing aids for you based on your preferences, style, and budget.
How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?
The average life expectancy of a modern hearing aid is between three and seven years. How long your hearing aids will last in good working condition depends on the quality of the brand, the frequency with which you clean them, frequency of use, the quality of the battery, your unique hearing needs, and how often you bring your hearing aids in for hearing aid repair.
Over time, hearing aids may not perform as well as they did in the past. Receivers and microphones are consistently exposed to wax and moisture inside your ear, affecting how hearing aids work and their performance over time. Regularly cleaning your hearing aids can help preserve functionality for longer.
Hearing aids can also be repaired, even if they are no longer under warranty. If repairs cannot be made in-house by us, they can be sent out for repair by the manufacturer. However, the majority of manufacturers will not repair devices that are more than five years old.
When you visit us to resolve issues with your hearing aids in Toronto, we can discuss all of the options available to you and help you decide whether it is better to repair or replace your hearing aids.
How Long Does a Hearing Aid Battery Last?
Hearing aid batteries today are now primarily rechargeable. Hearing aid users do not have to replace small, difficult-to-handle batteries that they may struggle with if they suffer from dexterity issues.
However, rechargeable batteries have limited lifespans themselves. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries usually last around five years, similar to the lifespan of hearing aids themselves. The battery life should not shorten the lifespan of your hearing aid.
Can You Extend the Lifespan of Hearing Aids?
The lifespan of your hearing aids is affected by factors such as how you use them, how you take care of them, and the environment in which you live. Wearing hearing aids all day, every day, may wear them out sooner, although that is not necessarily a reason to restrict their use, especially if you require your hearing aids for work, socializing, or personal comfort throughout the day.
Environmental factors can also impact the lifespan of a battery. Dry environments can dry out the hearing aid battery, reducing the device’s long-term effectiveness. In a humid environment, such as Toronto in the summer, condensation can also damage the battery.
You may be able to extend the lifespan of your hearing aid if you perform regular maintenance, or if you do not need to use them consistently throughout the day.
Many people who wear hearing aids prefer to update them approximately every five years rather than attempt to extend their lifespan. New technology can improve overall performance and the listening quality of a hearing aid. Updating your hearing aids gives you the latest technology and the best available experience.
Reasons to Replace Your Hearing Aid
Replacing your hearing aids may not be necessary because of a fault in the device but because of changes in your hearing, advances in hearing aid technology, or changes in your lifestyle.
Changes in Your Hearing
Age-related hearing loss involves the gradual loss of hearing in both of your ears. Over time, your hearing can become worse, and your hearing needs evolve. If you experience a deterioration in your hearing aid, the issue may be a decline of your hearing rather than a problem with a device itself.
Hearing aids are programmed to help you hear the frequencies with which you struggle. Most commonly, these are the frequencies at which human conversation takes place. An audiologist may be able to reprogram your hearing aid to match your current needs. However, in some cases, deteriorated hearing may require a more powerful device altogether.
An ear cleaning with wax removal may be required rather than a new hearing aid. Wax buildup can temporarily impact your hearing. An ear cleaning should restore your hearing.
Advances in Hearing Aid Technology
Hearing aid technology is not stagnant. Newer hearing aids have added features that were not available in models from just a few years ago. Modern hearing aids are constantly evolving. Increasingly, new hearing aids work with your brain to improve the separation of conversation and background noise or preserve soundscapes. Modern hearing aids can also integrate with new technologies, such as Bluetooth and streaming.
Changes in Your Lifestyle
You may need a new hearing aid because of changes in your lifestyle, such as a new occupation with a different environment or requirements. For example, a job that requires you to be on a number of conference calls may call for a hearing aid with Bluetooth integration, or you may struggle to hear clients and co-workers in a noisier environment.
Will OHIP Cover Hearing Aid Replacements?
OHIP hearing aid coverage may help you pay to replace your hearing aids in the right circumstances. OHIP coverage is provided through the Assistive Devices Program and will contribute up to $500 per ear for hearing devices every three to five years, allowing you to benefit from the program when you replace your hearing aid.
Your hearing aid may last longer than five years. However, consider your evolving hearing needs and advances in hearing aid technology when you assess whether you need a replacement, repairs, or to reassess your hearing.