When Is The Best Time to Upgrade Your Hearing Aids?
It is recommended that you upgrade your hearing aids after every five years. Another reason for an upgrade is if your sense of hearing noticeably worsens. Age-related hearing impairment is a degenerative condition. This means that the condition worsens as the days go by. At times, your hearing might change to a point where it necessitates new hearing aids. You might need to upgrade to a better hearing device with advanced technology to cater to your needs.
Your Hearing Aid Is More Than Five Years Old
The lifespan of a hearing device lasts 4 - 6 years. This is the case if nothing happens to the device during its life cycle. On average, patients upgrade their devices after every five years. Technological advancements and wear and tear contribute heavily to this reason.
The design of your hearing aid is also essential. If you have an in-the-ear design, you need to upgrade if the shape of your ear changes. This is the case for both half-shell and full-shell designs. This is because it is difficult to transfer the internal circuit boards into new designs as your ear shape changes.
Wear And Tear to Your Hearing Aid
There are other factors to consider when understanding the frequency of change. It would be best if you also considered factors such as working environments. Being exposed to noise pollution only worsens the situation. Sustained damage to your device also reduces the devices’ lifespan. This also includes how well the device is maintained, how well it was built, and how much wear and tear it has experienced. Just like any electronic device, your hearing aid wears out. Its circuit board degrades over the years, which can be due to moisture or your ear wax. It infiltrates the circuit and jams up the amplifier.
You Want Added Functionalities
There are times when you upgrade your hearing aid because you need improvements. You might also be going after and adding functionality. Such functionalities might include telecoil or even Bluetooth connection. The hearing aids also require maintenance over the years. This can be done annually, monthly, or even weekly.
At times, the amplifier is separate from the hearing device. This means that you can easily get rid of the amplifier section. With the help of an audiologist, you can snap it off with a special tool and replace it with a new one.
Upgrading your hearing aid is imperative. If you or your loved one wants to upgrade or is seeking advice from hearing aid specialists, be sure to contact us at Beltone Dallas Fort Worth for better support in your next steps.