The Secret of When You Should Buy New Hearing Aids
Every set of hearing aids has lifespan and replacing hearing aids once that lifespan is complete is important to your quality of life.
Hearing Aid Longevity
Just like with any big purchase, those buying hearing aids commonly inquire how long the new appliances will work. With an investment of between $2500-$7000 for a pair of hearing aids, it’s not an out of place question to ask. The average lifespan of a pair of hearing aids is between four and seven years.
Although four to seven years doesn’t sound like a very long time, the technology and engineering for hearing aids improves every 12-18 months. That means if you’ve had your hearing aids for 5 years and they begin to not function as well as they used to, it may make sense to purchase a new pair.
While many hearing aids may seem to be working fine after seven years, having them serviced or replacing parts can be tricky. As new generations of hearing aids are developed and released to the public, parts for older generation hearing aids are not continued to be produced. This makes replacement or repair difficult.
Knowing when you need new hearing aids may not be so easy to discern. There are a number of signs to consider when thinking about the age of your hearing aids and whether they are providing you with the best possible solution to your hearing loss.
Signs You May Need New Hearing Aids
The difference between repairing, readjusting, or replacing hearing aids is not always clear, even to those wearing the hearing aids. A hearing professional, like those at Hearing Solution Centers, can help guide you in the right direction. As mentioned above, if your hearing aids are over four years old, they may need to be replaced, not just repaired.
However, there are some signs that can help make the decision to replace easier. These signs include:
- Turning Up the Volume: As you age, age-related hearing loss can worsen. If you’re turning up the volume on your hearing aids, having trouble hearing conversations, or missing parts of your favorite Netflix show, you may need new hearing aids. All of these scenarios might mean that your hearing loss has increased and a hearing professional can test your hearing to make sure.
- Decrease in Functionality: Over time, hearing aids do not work as well as they once did when they were new. Hearing aids must deal with earwax and moisture every day, and these factors take a toll on how well hearing aids work. Replacing parts may be an option if your hearing aids are not very old, but if some time has passed since you purchased them, it may be time to upgrade to a new pair.
- Technological Advancements: As mentioned, the technology and engineering that go into producing hearing aids is constantly improving. Bluetooth technology, the ability to decrease background noise, the incorporation of AI, and the ease of connecting your hearing aid to your smart phone are all advancements that make life easier. The allure of increased options may entice you to purchase new hearing aids.
- Changes in Hobbies: This may sound strange, but new activities may influence your desire to upgrade your hearing aids. Spending more time outdoors, or at concerts, or even a new interest in audio books may mean upgrading your hearing aids for a better overall experience.
A hearing professional can work through your hearing needs with you by taking into account all of these elements. Purchasing a new pair of hearing aids is an investment in your life that should not be taken lightly. The right pair of hearing aids can be the difference between being part of the action, or missing out on important life events.
Reach out to Hearing Solution Centers today to schedule an appointment or discuss all of your hearing aid needs!