Sometimes, a hearing aid malfunction can be easily fixed by an audiologist, or even by the owner. But other times, there are telltale signs that your hearing aids won’t be very helpful much longer. Or maybe you’ve had a health or lifestyle change and need something different. It’s hard to predict how long a hearing aid will last – it’s usually somewhere between three and seven years, and it often depends on the wear and tear and how well it’s maintained. Here are some things to look out for when deciding whether you should purchase new hearing aids or other hearing loss solutions:
Your hearing changes
Hearing loss is usually progressive. Maybe when you first purchased hearing aids, your hearing loss was very mild so you bought a basic model, but now you need something a little different. Or maybe you’ve realized what it means to hear your best, and you want to hear your best rather than just better.
Better hearing technology
It’s likely that if you purchased your hearing aids even just a few years ago, there are already other new hearing loss technologies and features on hearing aids that you can benefit from that weren’t available then. For example, some hearing aids now have a system to specifically reduce wind noise, and others have a program that is more sophisticated in removing background noise, sometimes with directional microphones. If you spend a lot of time dining out with friends or family members, you might want to check into more advanced devices that can enhance your hearing and conversations.
Also, many hearing aids today are wireless and Bluetooth® capable, meaning they can connect to a smartphone, audio equipment and TVs with great ease, allowing for better convenience, comfort, and sometimes a lot more fun!
Other health changes
For some people, health changes could lead to a desire or need to try a new devices. For example, if you have arthritis in your fingers, you might decide to purchase hearing aids that have rechargeable batteries so they can be changed much less frequently. Or maybe you need a behind-the-ear hearing aids because they are larger than your current in-the-canal devices. Some people start to feel more forgetful and they realize that it would be better to get hearing aids that automatically adjust to the environment they are in, rather than having to manually adjust them.
Your devices are more than seven years old
If you’ve already had to spend a few hundred dollars on repairs for your hearing aids, or new issues keep popping up, simply because they are old, this is a good reason to look into getting new devices.
Lifestyle changes
Did you get a new job that you love? This could require a new pair of hearing aids, especially if you need more advanced features for meetings and other workplace settings. Or perhaps you have new hobbies. If you took up woodworking or bicycling, for example, you might want to purchase newer hearing aids that are better designed to be dust- and sweat-resistant. Or maybe you had a positive change in finances and can upgrade to a better hearing aid model!
