We know you want your hearing technology to work reliably and help you hear and connect to the world around you. We also know that hearing aids are a significant investment, and you don’t want to spend more than necessary. As your partners in hearing at Valley Audiology, we are here to help you decide when it’s the right time to upgrade your hearing aids.
How Long Should Hearing Aids Last?
On average, hearing aid users upgrade their devices every three to seven years. Many factors affect hearing aid lifespan. It’s not just about whether the devices still work; it’s about performance and getting the hearing help you need.
Three Signs It’s Time to Upgrade
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
1: Devices Not Working
Despite your best care and maintenance, hearing aids don’t last forever. Battery issues, poor sound clarity, frequent repairs, outdated compatibility with your other smart devices and other physical, functional issues with your hearing aids are all valid reasons to upgrade.
This is especially true if you’re frequently bringing your devices in for repairs. Just as with a car or any other major investment, there will come a time when it’s more cost-effective to upgrade than to keep fixing your current devices. A good rule of thumb is that upgrading becomes more cost-effective once the repair costs exceed 30–40% of the price of a new device.
2: Your Hearing Needs Have Changed
Even with hearing aids, hearing loss will continue to progress. Your hearing aids were programmed to meet your hearing needs, but those needs will naturally change. If, for example, you have high-frequency hearing loss, your hearing aids should be programmed to amplify the pitches you struggle with the most, but over time, you may struggle with some of the lower pitches, or your high-frequency hearing loss will grow more pronounced than your devices are currently addressing.
Sometimes, this can be fixed with a simple reprogramming with your audiologist! However, your needs may progress to a degree that your current pair can no longer address.
3: You Struggle in Noisy Environments
As mentioned above, hearing loss continues to progress, and that includes speech processing and listening comprehension, which is especially difficult in noisy environments. If restaurants in downtown Walnut Creek or family gatherings feel overwhelming, newer hearing aids may offer advanced noise reduction, directional microphones and AI-supported speech enhancement.
Upgrading Without Overbuying
So you’ve determined that it’s a good time to upgrade. Your current hearing aids are no longer adequately meeting your needs, and a new pair will be beneficial to your hearing health.
We know that not every patient needs the shiniest, most advanced and most expensive hearing aid on the market. The right hearing aid is the one you use every day, not the one with the most bells and whistles.
Here are some factors to consider when evaluating new features and technologies:
- Realistic need. Ask yourself: How much time do I spend in noisy environments? How often do I use Bluetooth streaming for phone calls or music? If the answer is “often,” then it’s a feature that is realistically useful to you!
- Local considerations. Walnut Creek is our home, and it has its own unique soundscape that will impact your listening experience. We have lively restaurants, outdoor activities and community events, so take those into consideration when thinking about what features (such as background noise management) might be necessary for being out and about.
When In Doubt, Ask Us!
We are here to offer you our expert guidance on hearing technology, and as your audiologist, we have a strong, professional understanding of your hearing loss needs. We are here to match your lifestyle and hearing needs to the technology that will benefit you. We’re also here to protect your investment with ongoing care, adjustments and repairs when necessary.
You don’t have to make these decisions alone. We’re here to help. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to upgrade, or if you think it’s time to upgrade but you’re unsure about what technology you need, feel free to ask us. Call Valley Audiology today, and we’d be happy to chat with you about new technology and how to upgrade efficiently.