How long do hearing aids last?

When deciding on a new pair of hearing aids, you should consider how long they will last. Just like buying a car, the actual mileage may vary.

Most modern high-quality hearing aids have a life expectancy on average between three and seven years. However, keep in mind that two people can buy exactly the same hearing aids and have them last vastly different amounts of time. Here's why:

Factors impacting how long hearing aids will last

There are at least nine factors that impact the average lifespan of a hearing aid:

1. Materials used to make hearing aids
2. Frequency of cleaning
3. Where hearing aids are worn
4. How hearing aids are stored
5. Hearing aid style
6. A person's body physiology
7. Frequency of maintenance
8. Technological advancements
9. Unique hearing needs

1. Materials used to make hearing aids

Although they are designed to be durable, hearing aids are made of plastic, metal, silicon, polymers and other materials that may be subject to some degree of structural degradation over time. Most hearing aids sold today have a protective nanocoating on them to resist water, dust and moisture, but you should still treat them gently to protect them from shock and impacts. 

2. Frequency of cleaning

Most people would never dream of going months without washing their hair, face or body; however, they forget their hearing aids are exposed to the same environment—moisture, dust, skin oils and sweat, extreme temperatures and sunlight. All this occurs in addition to the earwax generated by your ear canal in its natural cleaning process. Some wearers only have their hearing aids professionally cleaned twice a year or so. This takes a toll on hearing aids and can significantly reduce their life expectancy. To help your hearing aids life expectancy, clean them daily as directed by your hearing care practitioner and have them professionally cleaned in the hearing clinic every three to four months.

3. Where hearing aids are worn

Hearing aids that are consistently in damp or dusty environments often have more performance issues than other hearing aids. If you’re concerned about the environments in which you wear your hearing aids, consult your hearing care professional for ideas about protective measures. You may need to use protective sleeves or schedule more frequent professional cleanings to extend the life of your hearing aids.

4. How hearing aids are stored

The way hearing aids are stored when you’re not wearing them can also be a factor in hearing aid life expectancy. For hearing aids with disposable batteries, storing hearing aids with the battery door open will keep them safer. A case with a dehumidifier will keep them drier as well, which will also help them last longer. Ask your hearing care practitioner what type of storage case or dehumidifier options would work best for your hearing aids. 

For rechargeable hearing aids, lithium batteries last about four to five years. Just like with smartphones, the battery lifespan gets shorter the longer you own the device. If you notice your battery draining faster than usual, speak to your hearing care provider about whether new rechargeable batteries will help, or if you should get new devices. 

5. Style of hearing aids

Conventional wisdom in the hearing aid industry is that behind-the-ear (BTE) styles tend to have a long lifespan than in-the-ear (ITE) styles. The reason behind this wisdom is more of the electronic components sit in the damp environment of the ear canal with ITE styles. However, recent technical advancements in nanocoatings on internal and external components may soon make this durability difference a thing of the past.

6. Your body’s physiology

Some body chemistries are harder on the plastic and metal components of hearing aids and tend to discolor or degrade parts much faster than others. Some people have very oily skin, produce a lot of earwax or sweat profusely–all of these factors can impact hearing aid life, too. You can’t control these things, of course, but if you have any of these issues you should discuss them with your hearing care practitioner when you’re selecting hearing aids.

7. Frequency of maintenance

Most hearing aids have some readily-replaceable parts, such as wax guards, earmold tubing and silicone dome earpiece tips. These parts are regularly replaced during routine maintenance visits with your hearing care practitioner. There are other parts which can usually be replaced or repaired in the clinic if they become damaged or nonfunctional, like battery doors, earmolds, external speakers and microphone covers. These types of maintenance activities are very important for making your hearing aids last as long as possible.

8. Technological advancements

Obsolescence can become an issue for very old hearing aids. After several years (usually between five and 10), hearing aid manufacturers may stop making replacement parts for a particular aid, which may make repairs on old hearing aids difficult or impossible. Software used to program hearing aids also changes over time and eventually becomes obsolete. This often makes it difficult to reprogram very old hearing aids. Hearing aid performance and features advance very rapidly. The technology in the most advanced hearing aids available six or seven years ago would be considered basic today. While some folks are content to stick with what they have if it still performs for them, many people who buy hearing aids find themselves wanting to benefit from the new technology that becomes available four or five years down the road.

More: What to do with old hearing aids

9. Changing needs

Everything described up to this point focuses on the hearings aids themselves. Changing needs of the wearer can also affect how long hearing aids last. Sometimes after several years, a person's hearing loss can progress to the point where a more powerful hearing aid would suit them better. A person's lifestyle could change and require a hearing aid with more—or fewer—features. In cases where a hearing aid is replaced while it’s still functional, your hearing care practitioner can assist you in donating the used hearing aids to a worthy cause.

How do you determine which factors will affect your hearing aids?

Hearing aid durability is impacted by a variety of factors, many of which you can work with your hearing care practitioner to control. By partnering with your clinician, you can find hearing aids that fit your needs and keep them working well as long as possible. Call a hearing aid clinic near you today to talk about it.