Your hearing aids are crucial to your quality of life, and they’re a significant investment. But just like any critical technology, from your cell phone to your car to your laptop, the time may come when you need to upgrade your devices.
How Often Should I Upgrade My Hearing Aids?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, including your lifestyle, health, hearing aid usage, progression of hearing loss and more. On average, hearing aid users upgrade their devices every three to five years, but this is just an average—some people may upgrade more frequently than this, others may upgrade less frequently.
Signs Your Hearing Aids Need an Upgrade
These are some of the more common signs that you’re ready for a hearing aid upgrade.
Performance Issues
While durable, the electronic components of hearing aids cannot last forever. One of the clearest indicators that your hearing aids may need an upgrade is a decline in their performance. If you notice increased static, feedback or reduced sound clarity, it may be due to aging technology.
How an audiologist can help: Our in-office hearing aid service center can address minor performance issues, such as feedback and distorted sound quality. For larger repairs, we are able to send your devices to the manufacturer.
Physical Wear and Tear
Hearing aids are used heavily and are exposed to the elements; even with the best care, they can deteriorate. Signs of physical damage, such as dents, cracks, rust, corrosion or issues with the battery compartment, can compromise their functionality. If your hearing aids show significant wear, it might be time to consider newer, more durable models.
How an audiologist can help: The best way to prevent physical wear and tear is to keep your hearing aids clean. In addition to your regular cleaning routine, you should bring your hearing aids to our office every six months or so for professional cleaning. Our specialized tools can reach those delicate spots that your tools can’t.
New Technology
One big reason hearing aid users upgrade every three to five years is that technology is constantly improving. Modern hearing aids come equipped with advanced features, such as noise reduction, digital “smart” sound processing, feedback cancellation and enhanced sound quality, which older models lack. Additionally, modern hearing aids feature more quality-of-life upgrades, such as Bluetooth® capabilities, smartphone apps and even health and fitness tracking.
How an audiologist can help: We love talking about new hearing aid technology! More importantly, through your custom treatment plan, we have a wealth of knowledge about your hearing loss and what would best benefit your hearing health. We are proud to offer expert guidance to ensure your devices perform at the top of their class and that you’re getting the hearing and lifestyle support you deserve from your hearing aids.
Changing Hearing Needs
Hearing loss will progress over time, and the settings on your current hearing aids might no longer match your hearing needs. If you find that you’re struggling to hear conversations, especially in noisy environments, it may indicate that your hearing aids need to be reprogrammed or replaced. In fact, modern hearing aids offer customizable options and adaptive technologies that better match your evolving hearing profile.
How an audiologist can help: Regular hearing loss testing is critical when treating hearing loss; we do this to stay on top of the inevitable changes in your hearing. By routinely checking your hearing levels, we can ensure that your hearing aids are providing the hearing support you need.
Getting an Upgrade
Upgrading may be daunting at first; it’s a big decision, and a big investment. However, it’s important to remember that your hearing aids should always work for you. Never settle for something that’s not working when it comes to your hearing health.
If you’re ready to discuss upgrading your set of hearing aids, call Kampsen Hearing today. We’re always excited to share about the modern innovations in hearing aid technology, and we’re committed to being active partners in your hearing loss journey. Call today to make an appointment.