If you wear hearing aids, you're not alone. More than 7% of adults over the age of 45 use a hearing aid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hearing aids help people who have trouble hearing by amplifying sounds. They are complex devices that can bring about a significant improvement in your quality of life if you're experiencing various types of hearing loss, including age-related hearing loss.
At Sharp Hearing Care Professionals, Dr. Kevin Sharim and his team of audiologists and hearing aid experts work with many people to find the hearing aid solution that is best for them.
When our patients receive their first hearing aids, they typically have many questions about how to use and care for them. One of the questions we commonly receive is: When should I replace my hearing aid?
Here, we would like to answer that question by discussing 5 reasons you should consider replacing your hearing aids.
Like any electronic device, hearing aids can become broken or damaged. You may drop them, step on them, get them wet, or subject them to other kinds of harm. Or they may start behaving oddly, producing feedback or whistling sounds or not amplifying as well as they should.
In some cases, hearing aids can be repaired. But when repairs are not possible — for example, when they are crushed or cracked — you may need a new hearing aid.
You can protect your hearing aids from damage by taking some important steps, such as keeping them clean, protecting them from water, storing them in a safe place, and following all of the manufacturer’s care recommendations.
Hearing aids typically last for 4-7 years, according to AARP. In general, you should start thinking about new hearing aids after about 5 years, or sooner if it’s been subjected to a lot of wear and tear.
If you're not sure whether you need new hearing aids, ask Dr. Sharim or one of our audiologists.
Just as your eyeglasses may need replacing as your vision changes, your hearing aids may need replacing as your hearing changes. Bring your hearing aids with you to all of your audiology check-ups to make sure they are meeting your evolving hearing needs.
Working with highly skilled audiologists and hearing specialists is the best way to ensure that you get the type of device that best fits your hearing needs and your lifestyle. Our providers take the time needed to make sure you understand all of your options and hearing aid features.
We also offer a 60-day free trial with our hearing aids so you can be sure you've chosen the model that is best for you.
The technology used to create effective hearing aids continues to evolve at a rapid pace. As a result, the hearing aids that were state-of-the-art when you first got them a few years ago may now be getting obsolete. A newer device may give you much better functionality.
Newer hearing aid models may provide updated features and improvements such as smartphone or Bluetooth connectivity, background noise minimization, and battery charging capabilities.
More advanced devices may make it easier for you to do activities you enjoy, such as watching movies, attending the theater, listening to music, and dining out with friends.
Similarly, changes in your physical dexterity may mean you need hearing aids that are easier to care for and use. For example, if you develop arthritis in your fingers, you may find it difficult to change the batteries in your current hearing aids, and another type of device might be simpler for you to maintain.
At Sharp Hearing Care Professionals, we offer a wide variety of hearing aid styles and sizes from a range of manufacturers. We can help you choose hearing aids that provide you with the qualities that are most important to you, including the following:
If your hearing aid doesn’t seem to work as well as it once did, don’t fret. We’re certain to have a model that works for you.
Our team stands ready to help you with all of your hearing aid needs, including fitting you with a replacement hearing aid when your current device reaches the end of its life.
Our offices are conveniently located in Oxnard, Santa Barbara, West Hills, and Santa Monica, California. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sharim and our team, contact one of our offices
