For many people, hearing aids are a necessity for everyday life. They significantly reduce the symptoms and impact hearing loss, and can improve quality of life. Many studies have examined the adverse effects of hearing loss on a person’s life1,2. Hearing loss can isolate you from conversations and make it difficult to do the things in life that you enjoy, from socialising with friends and family to watching TV. Addressing your hearing concerns can minimise the impact hearing loss can cause.
Untreated hearing loss is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, poor mental health and lower life expectancy.
As hearing loss progresses, people often use devices that no longer suit their hearing and lifestyle needs. A hearing aid upgrade could drastically change how you hear speech and better suit your current hearing and lifestyle needs.
Analog hearing aids are still a popular choice among hearing loss clients. However, the latest hearing aid technology has lent itself to developing digital options for hearing aid upgrades. Digital hearing aids tend to last longer as their technology is improved. They also provide a better experience for the user as they can be customised and filter particular sounds, such as making speech louder while reducing background noise.
How Long Does the Average New Hearing Aid Last
Most new hearing aids will last an average of five to seven years.
With regular hearing checks with your Lions Hearing Clinic Audiologist, you will get the most out of your hearing aids and working closely with your Audiologist can help them last longer.
When Is It Time for a Hearing Aid Upgrade?
Technology Changes
Hearing aids are essentially small computers. They have intricate hardware that can be easily disturbed by external damage or debris from the user’s surrounding environment. The technology utilised in new hearing aids has significantly advanced in the past decades, but, as with most modern technology, they can only last for so long. If your hearing aids are making a noise like a whistle, a buzzing, or any other kind of feedback, that may be time for a hearing aid upgrade.
Body heat and moisture can be highly detrimental to the operating quality of the hearing aids, so regular cleaning is necessary. Ear wax can also build up and degrade the device’s hardware while creating blockages that inhibit sound from moving through efficiently.
Lifestyle Changes
Often, individuals have changes occur in their life that could mean they would benefit from a hearing aid upgrade. These changes could include a new workplace or school where that person is suddenly in new, louder environments with lots of competing background noise. In this scenario, an individual with an analog hearing aid would benefit hugely from a new digital hearing aid.
Aging can also be a lifestyle factor that precipitates a hearing aid upgrade. As people get older, they can experience hearing loss at a more rapid rate, or their current level of hearing can start to degrade. New hobbies and leisure activities can also call for a hearing aid upgrade. If people take up sports like horse riding or dance classes, they may need to improve their hearing.
Annual Hearing Tests
Your hearing changes over time and hearing aid technology are also frequent innovation. Due to these two factors, you must get regular hearing tests to ensure you have the latest hearing aids that work best for your specific level and hearing loss.
Test your hearing with Lions Hearing Clinic today or request an appointment so you can discuss your current hearing aid setup with one of our experienced audiologists.
- Laird, E.C., Bennett, R.J., Barr, C.M. and Bryant, C.A., 2020. Experiences of hearing loss and audiological rehabilitation for older adults with comorbid psychological symptoms: A qualitative study. American Journal of Audiology, 29(4), pp.809-824.
- Jayakody, D.M., Almeida, O.P., Speelman, C.P., Bennett, R.J., Moyle, T.C., Yiannos, J.M. and Friedland, P.L., 2018. Association between speech and high-frequency hearing loss and depression, anxiety and stress in older adults. Maturitas, 110, pp.86-91
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