Time to Read: 6 minutes
Just like cars and computers, hearing aids get superseded. We look at why you should replace your hearing aids every five years
Choosing the right hearing aid, in consultation with your audiologist, should give your best possible hearing.
A new hearing aid will have the latest technology* such rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth connectivity and supporting apps. They are also discreetly sized, offer remote support. New ones are coming onto the market have sensors to detect medical conditions and falls.
*or they should be the latest technology. If you’re not offered the most current model, ask why.
The next step is maximising the benefit your hearing aids give you. We have an excellent article here to show how to get used to your new hearing aids so you can comfortably wear them all day.
The warranty for hearing aids is three years, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to automatically replace your hearing aids after that time. You can get many years more use from them, but we recommend looking at a complete replacement for your hearing aids every five years.
Why You Should Replace Your Hearing Aids Every Five Years
After five years, many people consider trading in their car even though it works perfectly well. Why? Because parts wear out and can be very costly to replace. New cars have better safety and convenience options (and we love the ‘new car’ smell).
Hearing aids are somewhat similar. However, they are also small, delicate and sophisticated pieces of equipment subjected to harsh environments.
Hearing aids have to live in the moist warm ear canal - not the most hospitable place for hearing aids and their electronics. As a result, they are easy to damage.
We’ve heard of many people who have broken their aids through dropping them on hard surfaces or into water. Worse still are the tales we’ve heard about dogs and even rabbits, wanting to have a nibble.
And there is another thing you should know about hearing aids. They aren’t ‘set and forget’ hardware, they do need maintenance (we have an article on that here) as well as re-calibration.
In the end, your old hearing aids are not going to be delivering the same quality and clarity of sound as it did at the beginning.
Even if your hearing aids are working just as well after five years - the chances are your ears are not.
Frequency loss patterns change over time, which is why we recommend that you attend your six-monthly hearing assessments. Your hearing aids can be tuned but only to a point. Sometimes the technology comes to the limit of your hearing loss and a more modern, up to date hearing aid would suit your hearing better.
Give it a go!
Hearing aids are getting better all the time with improvements to computer processing, Bluetooth connectivity, helpful SmartPhone apps.
Even if you think your hearing aids are working well for you, you might be surprised at the range of sound and frequencies you might be able to hear with an aid with more sophisticated computer chips.
It’s not just hearing aids which change - you do too.
A new job or change of environment may also affect your hearing, so at the very least, it’s time for a hearing assessment to make sure you’re getting the very best out of the model you have.
When should you replace your hearing aids?
You might get good use out of hearing aids beyond five years but if you’re not sure whether your hearing aid serving you best, we have some tips on when to know it is time to replace those aids:
- Your hearing has changed - you’re not hearing as well as you once did even with a hearing aid.
- That even with hearing aids, listening to a conversation on the phone or in background noise is difficult.
- Your hearing aid consistently fail. It just isn’t reliable and that’s a problem.
- Your hearing aid is heavy or uncomfortable. Old technology weighs more.
- You need some extra help with tinnitus. Modern hearing aids can help reduce tinnitus more effectively.
- When you look in the mirror, your hearing aid is all you can see. Modern designs can be more discreet.
- You are changing the batteries every day. Modern hearing aids are more energy efficient and some come with rechargeable batteries
- You may simply like the idea of the opportunities new technology brings. For example Bluetooth hearing aids allow your hearing aids to replace your earphones for quality streaming of music, audiobooks and even phone calls.
- You might be eligible for another hearing aid rebate from your private health insurance, which could reduce the cost.
