Thursday, September 11, 2014

What is the lifespan of a hearing aid?

As with any battery driven electronic device, hearing aids last much longer than the power source. The average hearing aid lifespan varies significantly due to the conditions they are used in and the way you care for them.  But breakdowns happen.  The older the hearing aids, the more often they tend to breakdown resulting in costly repairs.  When it comes to hearing aids, seven years may not seem very long, but the devices are considered ancient by that time.
The average lifespan is about 5 years.  There are several reasons for this:
·         Paying to repair older technology is a poor investment (typically being more expensive           with age)
·         Repairs of older aids are not as reliable as newer ones
·         Parts replaced on older hearing aids may come from other older, and sometimes used,         hearing aids
·         The technology is outdated
·         Old software often cannot be used on newer computers making it impossible to adjust           the devices for hearing changes
·         Hearing may change so much that stronger hearing aids are needed
·         Hearing aids are not designed to last a human lifetime
Hearing instruments can continue to perform very well, and last longer than the average five years, by giving them proper care.  Moisture is the leading cause of breakdowns.  Using a hearing aid dehumidifier can reduce the number of repairs and extend the life of your hearing devices.
Hearing aids eventually reach a point where it is no longer feasible to invest in repairs.  If you love the hearing aids you have, and aren't sure where you want to invest your time and money in new instruments, discuss the costs and benefits with your audiologist.  We work to support your hearing goals, including maximizing your investment in hearing instruments.

Life sounds great!  Enjoy every moment!


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Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-8848
Fax: 440-205-9818




Image obtained 8-20-14 at: http://thedaytodayobservationsandrants.blogspot.com/2012/05/characters-lifespan.html

4 comments:

  1. Hearing aid supplies are getting nicer along with hearing aids themselves. There are battery dispensers that make it easier to handle those tiny batteries. Five years life span qualifies as "durable goods," which may affect regulations. A five year battery would be another innovation.

    Paul | avchearing.net

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  2. It is good to know that the lifespan of hearing aids can be greatly extended with hearing aid repair. This sure beats having to buy a new set every time something foes wrong. It seems like a lot more affordable of an option, especially if you are living on government assistance.

    http://pacifichearingcare.com/hearing-aid-repair

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  3. This seems like good information to know. It's important to know how long to expect your hearing aids to last. My daughter's had her hearing aids for the past eight years, and they've just started to wear down. It seems like I got a good bang for my buck if the average life span for hearing aids really is five years. I would rather not have to replace her hearing aids, so I hope that I can find a way to have them repaired instead.
    http://www.hearingaidsatlanticcapemaycounty.com/Hearing_Tests_Cape_May_Courthouse_NJ.html

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  4. I've never really thought about how hearing aids have a life span. My father has been reluctantly wearing hearing aids on and off for a few years now, and it's probably time to retire his. Hopefully we can find him new ones that are comfortable enough for him to actually wear. I just prefer it when he can actually understand me!

    Jacobs Clinical Diagnostics

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