How often should I replace my Hearing Aids?

By Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D.

My patients often ask me: “How often should I replace my hearing aids? “The answer to this question can depend upon a number of important factors.  Some of these factors are:
1.    Are your current hearing aids functioning well?
2.    Are your current hearing aids fully meeting your hearing needs?
3.    Are your current hearing aids 4–6 years old?
4.    Is it worth upgrading to take advantage of new hearing aid technology?

1. Are your current hearing aids functioning well?
For hearing aids to work correctly they require regular maintenance and an occasional repair. Hearing aids are worn on the body, and they go wherever you go.  Hearing aids are exposed to rain, high humidity, extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, etc.  Also, the ear is a very hostile environment and at least a portion of every hearing aid sits inside the ear canal.  Ear canals contain moisture and earwax and these two things can have the result of a hearing aid not working well or not even working at all. Without regular maintenance, the performance of your hearing aids may change gradually over time because microphones, speakers, and other important   components become “clogged up” with moisture, wax, and other debris. If your hearing aid begins to need, frequent repairs, it might be time to look into purchasing new devices.  If your hearing aids have been repaired multiple times and they keep breaking, this maybe a sign for you to replace them.

2. Are your current hearing aids fully meeting your hearing needs?
Age-related hearing loss is a degenerative condition, it usually gets worse as you get older. If you’re not getting good performance from your hearing aids, it may be time to see your hearing care professional for an adjustment or to find out if your hearing has changed to the point where it’s beyond the range of your current hearing aids. You may need to upgrade to a more powerful hearing aid that is capable of meeting your changing needs. If you believe your hearing and hearing aids are working at peak performance one way you can validate it would be to ask family and close friends there opinion too. Sometimes family and friends don’t want to tell you that they have noticed changes in a loved ones hearing until that loved one ask!

3.  Are your current hearing aids 4–6 years old?
Hearing aids generally tend to work at their best until they are about 4-6 years old. After this time frame, internal parts can begin to wear out and the overall performance of your hearing aids won’t be as good as it was during the first few years. If your hearing aids have been repaired multiple times and they keep breaking, this maybe is a sign for you to replace them. Consult with your hearing care professional to find out if it is the same problem that keeps occurring, or if it is a different problem every time before you decide to buy new ones.  Sometimes the problem can be solved with a repair as minor as an easily replaced part.

4. Is it worth upgrading to take advantage of new hearing aid technology?
Hearing aid companies are technology companies and their technology seems to improve every couple of years.  A hearing aid that is 5 years old is most likely at least two generations of technology behind what you are currently wearing. Recent advances in hearing technology have introduced a lot of features that weren’t available just a few years ago.  They can connect easily to many of the new electronic devices that surround us, computers, smartphones, audio equipment and more. Today there are more options than ever for size and fit. There are more colors, completely invisible devices, and newer more comfortable external hearing aids. It pays to keep up to date with advances in hearing technology, regardless of how well your current hearing aids are performing.  It is always worth checking with or asking your hearing care professional if there is anything new that could be worth trying.

All these factors are important to consider if you are thinking of purchasing new hearing aids.  If you would like to have more information about new hearing aids, please contact my office to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Advanced Hearing Solutions

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PROFESSIONAL BIO
Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D., owner and audiologist at Advanced Hearing Solutions in Englewood, FL is a licensed professional whose 26 year career has been devoted to helping people of all ages hear and understand more clearly.  Dr. Crosby received her BS and MS degrees from FSU and her Doctorate in Audiology from UF.  Her credibility as an authority grew during her tenure as the Director of Audiology at the Silverstein Institute in Sarasota, FL from 1991-1998. Today, in addition to managing a successful audiology practice, Dr. Crosby is involved in creating hearing loss awareness through her jewelry and accessory company AuDBling.com. She has served and is serving on various professional boards and committees and was president of the Florida Academy of Audiology in 2000 and 2010.  She has been married to Michael for 23 years and has one daughter.