Schedule an appointment with an audiologist as quickly as you can if your hearing is declining. The ears will be evaluated, your hearing loss will be assessed, and you’ll most likely receive hearing aids. They may seem minor. However, they will have a significant impact on your everyday life.
Many people notice that their lives and relationships with other people significantly increase after purchasing hearing aids. Hearing aids, in general, are only effective for a short time, and estimates put the average between three and seven years. Due to their importance, it’s your responsibility to give them the best care for hearing aids.
Determinants of a Hearing Aid Lifespan
Since hearing aids can be costly, it’s normal to be worried about their longevity. The average lifespan of a hearing aid ranges from seven to seven years. However, many have hearing aids that last less than this. If you are concerned about the durability of your hearing aids last, you must be aware of the factors that impact them.
1. Material Used
While these devices are made to withstand the wear and tear that comes with most lifestyles, they are typically constructed from materials like plastic, silicon, metal polymers, and many others, which are susceptible to a certain degree of structural degrading in time.
While most products produced today have an outer coating that protects them from dust and water, it doesn’t mean they are impervious to destruction. You can find more info by reading blog posts and articles online.
2. Hearing Aid Style
In general, hearing aids placed behind your ear (also called BTE) are more durable in life span than hearing aids that are placed within the ear (also called ITE). Hearing aids that are ITE are more prone to sustaining damage than the other kinds of hearing aids because of the small components used and the fact that they are placed in the moist part of the ear canal’s inner. Before you purchase a hearing aid, you need a hearing consultation with a reputable facility.
3. Frequency of Use
Hearing aids that are worn less often, they’ll last longer. This may be a daunting task for people who depend on hearing aids frequently. However, there are a couple of things everyone can do to decrease the frequency hearing aids are used and worn.
In the beginning, remove the hearing aids before you go to bed. The use of hearing aids in bed drains batteries and can cause damage to them. If you have hearing aids, it is best not to wear them in any situation that could see them wet. Please do not wear them when you shower, exercise, or in the rain. Moisture is the hearing aid’s most significant enemy, and it reduces its lifespan.
4. Maintenance Routine
Maintaining your hearing aids by keeping them clean is a great way to prolong their life. They can last only three years if you do not keep them clean. The accumulation of dirt and particles can damage the device. Besides regular cleaning, opening the battery case at night is a good practice. Since the batteries are permitted to “breathe,” any moisture present will evaporate, and the batteries will stay in good condition.
It is recommended that you be able to have your hearing aid examined by hearing care professionals who are certified at regular intervals. It is possible to use the device for a time if it can be repaired or replaced with new parts or repaired.
5. Storage
Properly storing hearing aids is an essential factor in prolonging their life span. It would help if you kept hearing aids inside their cases and above the range of humidity and moisture at all times. Please don’t leave them in the bathroom after taking them out to shower.
Children may be enticed to play with electronic devices, such as hearing aids, when placed in the open. Keep them dry and out of reach of young children.
