How Long do Hearing Aids Last?

Reviewed by Dr. Porter on September 23, 2020

The length of time that any hearing aid will last is somewhat dependent on the style that it is. For instance, in-the-ear devices are generally exposed to higher temperatures and a higher level of moisture, because they’re situated right in the ear canal. This means they are routinely exposed to higher levels of earwax and sweat, and that will shorten their lifespan to four or five years.

You can expect to get five or six years of usage out of a behind-the-ear device because it is not situated directly in the ear canal, and instead rests behind the ear. This means it will not be exposed to as much humidity and earwax, and that’s the primary reason that you’ll get an extra year or two of usage out of it.

How Often Do You Have to Replace a Hearing Aid?

Most devices regardless of the style, will last at least three years, and depending on the kind of device it is, it may last as long as seven years. You can improve the lifespan of your unit by regularly cleaning it, and by making sure it is not exposed to excessive humidity. Regular cleaning will also help extend its lifespan and improve its normal operational capabilities. On average, you will probably have to replace your device every three to five years.

How Long Do Hearing Aid’s Batteries Last Before Needing to be Replaced?

This will be somewhat dependent on the model that you own, as well as the level of usage that you subject it to. In general however, you can count on needing to change your batteries between every three and 10 days. Although most models now will warn you when battery life is getting low, it’s better to observe the normal pattern of battery life you can expect, so you can anticipate when it will run low and change it beforehand. This will prevent you from losing power during inopportune moments when you might have a more urgent need of good hearing.

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last - How Long Do Batteries Last

How Can I Make My Hearing Aids Last Longer?

When you’re talking about adding to the lifespan, you’re generally considering cleaning practices and ways to make the battery last longer. You should always use new batteries, and after you open the package, you should wait about seven minutes before installing them, so the air can have time to activate the battery.

Store your device at room temperature, which is the most beneficial environment for your batteries. However, make sure to not leave your device in the bathroom, because that’s a room that tends to be much more humid than any other. In fact, it’s a good idea to have a dehumidifier, so you won’t have to worry about excessive humidity damaging your device.

When you know that you won’t be using your device for a prolonged period of time, it’s a good idea to completely remove the batteries so that moisture and corrosion have no chance to form on the surfaces. By the same token, whatever you do change batteries, make sure that your hands are clean and dry, so that you don’t impart any harmful substances to the delicate battery surfaces.

Which Hearing Aid Brands are Known to Last Longest?

Many of today’s options have been designed and manufactured to provide superior performance and help patients improve their auditory health considerably. However, in terms of those brand names which tend to last the longest, there are a few names that you can rely on for the longest and most reliable service. When you are making a purchase, and length of service is important to you, you should probably consider one of the following manufacturers: Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, Unitron, or Widex.

How Long Do Hearing Aids Last - Which Brands Last Longest

Find the Unit That Fits your Needs

Even though your health insurance will generally cover the cost of your device, no one really wants to be troubled with constantly purchasing new devices. In order to be sure you have a device that is built for top performance and with longevity in mind, you should contact us at Harbor Audiology, since we carry all the top brand names. We make these superior listening devices available to our clients so they can genuinely experience greater satisfaction from all those sounds they may have been missing in the past.

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