You Need Or Want An Upgrade
Hearing aid technology is improving all the time. Maybe your old hearing aids arent connecting properly with your new phone. If you are getting older, you might want to get hearing aids with fall detection, especially if you live alone.
- If you are taking up an active sport, your current aids might not be rugged enough to handle your sports demands.
- You might want a hearing aid that works better with your brain .
- You might find that a newer device simply fits better and is more comfortable. When you were first diagnosed, you might have been told you needed an over-the-ear device, but now they have invisible hearing aids that could work for you.
Improper Handling Of Batteries
You should never remove the little tab from the battery before youre ready to use it. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your hearing aids or batteries to protect against getting hand oil or dirt on them. Never freeze hearing aid batteries. This trick may extend the life of some kinds of battery but it doesnt work with hearing aid batteries. Basic handling mistakes like these can make hearing aid batteries drain more quickly.
Hearing Aid Battery Drain
All the manufacturers have given all the required information about their hearing device battery usage. In the survey mentioned above, as an example, it is shown that Resound datasheet for the Resound LiNX2 LS61 provided information about the hearing device which uses 312 battery drains 1.3 milli-Amps from the hearing device battery, which when tested in test mode through the ANSI S3.22 standard.
Using the battery life formula, estimated the battery life of size 312 hearing aid which has a capacity of 145 milli-Amp-hours which is 111 hours.
In the survey, the average receiver-in-canal hearing machine user reports total use- time per battery of 82 hours. An expected 6.3 days of battery life is calculated by considering the hearing aid user report time of 13 hours per day and which when compared with Resounds datasheet. It is found that the datasheet suggests 8.5 days per battery usage by the user.
So, there is a difference between the survey estimates by the hearing device and the hearing aid manufacturer datasheet.
The problem with calculating these estimates
There is a difference because it is difficult to find the estimates using the battery current drain. Usually, hearing machines are kept in test mode while calculating the current drain which results in disabling the advanced processing technologies such as digital noise reduction, wireless connectivity, and feedback cancellation.
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Your Life Looks Different Now
That is what life is all about. Some aspects of life are constantly changing. Things change, including your lifestyle. Getting a hearing aid replacement is a great idea if you have experienced major lifestyle changes. Some of those changes can be anything like getting a new phone or finding new interests. It is best that you always have a hearing aid that does all that you need. Let us say that you have taken an interest in more outdoor events like hiking or skiing. You want to make sure that you have a hearing aid that is able to stand up to the harsh climates. This would be a situation in which getting a new hearing aid would make sense.
On the other hand, if you realize that you are not as active as you used to be, it may be time to replace your current hearing aid. You can downgrade to something with much more basic functions since you may not need your hearing aid to work that hard since you spend most of your time in places that make it simpler to hear.
Here Are A Few Of The Issues That May Affect How Long Hearing Aids Last:
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There Are 9 Key Factors To Be Mindful Of When Considering A Hearing Aids Lifespan:
1. Individual hearing needs
2. An individuals body physiology
3. Hearing aid style
4. Where it is worn
5. Materials used to make it
6. How its stored
7. How frequently its cleaned
8. Frequency of maintenance
9. Technological advancements
Some of these, you cant impact. You cant change what a specific piece is made of or where you wear it. You can be more informed when making purchases, however. But be advised that some pieces can be a bit more uncomfortable. So, you have to weigh whats more important longevity or comfort.
Hearing Aid Battery Life Survey Results
Weve got a ton of data to share, and some findings which may actually surprise you. Lets take it one step at a time and start with the number of survey submissions. The current count sits at 1012 total survey respondents. Respondents came from a total of 36 countries, with the top 3 countries being the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. We are leaving the survey open, so we hope for that number to increase in the future.
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Where Hearing Aids Are Worn
Hearing aids that are consistently in damp or dusty environments often have more performance issues than other hearing aids. If youre concerned about the environments in which you wear your hearing aids, consult your hearing care professional for ideas about protective measures. You may need to use protective sleeves or schedule more frequent professional cleanings to extend the life of your hearing aids.
What Style Of Hearing Aids Do You Wear
In our survey, we asked participants about their hearing aid style. Most respondents use some form of behind-the-ear hearing aid with Receiver-In-Canal the most popular style. Custom in-the-ear style hearing aids were less common, with only ~12% of respondents indicating CIC, ITC, ITE or IIC.
What style of hearing aids do you wear?
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How Often Should You Replace Your Hearing Aids
If you are one of the estimated 48 million Americans with a hearing loss, you may wear a hearing aid device. Hearing aids can be a life changing investment. They can open up a world of sound.
Once youve adjusted to your hearing aid devices, its hard to imagine no longer having them. But like everything else, hearing aid devices dont last forever.
What Is A Typical Lifespan For Hearing Aids
A quick Google search brings up countless manufacturers and clinics that tell you the same thing – hearing aids last five to eight years.
Losing some part of your hearing involves the unpleasant feeling of realizing you need hearing aids. As you start to navigate your new reality with hearing aids, youll also want stability for the long run. When purchasing hearing aids, youll want a high-quality product that is not only comfortable to wear but also has long battery life.
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How Can Hearing Aids Help
Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. The damage can occur as a result of disease, aging, or injury from noise or certain medicines.
A hearing aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a persons hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the hearing aid amplification needed to make up the difference. However, there are practical limits to the amount of amplification a hearing aid can provide. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals. In this situation, a hearing aid would be ineffective.
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Other Tips To Improve Your Hearing Aid Lifespan
There are some additional things you can do to help improve your hearing aid lifespan. One of them is changing the batteries regularly and opening the battery door when not using the aid. Take the batteries out of the aid completely if you are not wearing the aid for a prolonged time.
Keep devices free of earwax by using the provided cleaning brush to gently remove any earwax or debris that may be on the device. Change your wax filters periodically.
Handle with care. Hearing aids are durable but avoid dropping them on hard surfaces. When they arent in use, store them in a safe place. Be sure to keep out of reach for children and pets.
Schedule a visit with your provider at least once every 4 to 6 months for a thorough cleaning and check-up. If you have problems with wax buildup, you may need to schedule professional cleanings more often.
We hope this article helps you feel more confident in improving the lifespan of your hearing aids. Please leave a comment below or contact us with questions you have.
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Your Financial Situation Has Improved
Maybe when you bought your first pair of hearing aids a few years ago, you needed the most basic and economical option. But if you can now afford more advanced devices, it might be time for an upgrade. Some people buy new hearing aids and keep their old ones as an extra set in case their new devices need repair.
Where The Device Is Being Worn Or Stored
Consider your lifestyle. Taking showers, blow-drying your hair, walking outside and kicking up dust or dirtwe are in damp or dusty environments more often than we might realize. Always try to be attentive to your surroundings and stay away from moisture and dust as much as possible.
As mentioned above, hearings aids are sensitive to moisture and should be stored in a cool dry place preferably with the battery door open.
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You’ve Changed Your Attitude Toward Hearing Aids
Many people are very reluctant when they purchase their first hearing aids. In fact, it takes people up to 10 years on average to get hearing aids after first being diagnosed with hearing loss. Additionally, it takes a while to learn what it means to hear your best, rather than just better. Thus, people who know about their needs and are more comfortable with hearing aids might want devices with different or more advanced settings since they have a better idea about what they want and need.
If you’re still not sure what to do, keep in mind that a qualified and compassionate hearing care provider can guide you. Find a consumer-reviewed hearing aid clinic near you with our directory of providers.
How Long Will Size 312 Hearing Aid Batteries Last
Hearing aid batteries 312 size will usually last three to 10 days, or an estimated charge of 175 hours. The brand of battery, device, amount of time it is worn, amplification, and environmental factors can all play a role in how long your batteries will last. If your battery life is noticeably and consistently low, the culprit is more likely to be the device and/or usage rather than the battery itself.
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We Are Here To Guide You
At The House of Hearing, we can help you find the perfect hearing aids for your situation and help you to keep up with all the changes in your life.
We can also take your old devices as trade-ins or donate them in your name to a charity .
Contact us to find out how we can get you a hearing aid upgrade that fixes any problems and improves your lifestyle.
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How Frequently The Device Is Being Cleaned
You should be cleaning your hearing aids everyday!
Considering that these devices go where you go all the time, grime and dirt can build-up very quickly. Although some hearing aids come with professional cleaning check-ups, once or twice a year sessions are not enough to keep your device in top shape.
If youre curious as to just how to properly clean them, check out our article how to clean your hearing aids properly!
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Leave The Hearing Aid Battery Door Open When Not In Use
If youre not using your hearing aid, turn it off and open the battery door. This minimizes drain and blocks corrosion. But keep in mind, dont store your hearing aids in the bathroom temperature changes and dampness are hazardous to the batteries. Your bedroom side table is probably the best place.
Care Tips For Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Rechargeable hearing aids are gaining popularity because they are low maintenance and dont require you to regularly purchase hearing aids batteries. Although rechargeable hearing aids are easy to use, there are a few differences in how you care for them that you need to be aware of if youve transitioned from non-rechargeables recently.
There are two types of rechargeable hearing aids:
- Silver-zinc: hearing aids with a battery door
- Lithium-ion: hearing aids without a battery door
Find your hearing aid type below to learn more about caring for and extending the life of your hearing aid battery.
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How Long Should Hearing Aids Last
An individual should consider how long hearing aids will last when determining which pair to buy. However, just like buying a car, the actual mileage for an individuals hearing aids may vary. While most modern high-quality hearing aids can be expected to last somewhere between three and seven years, two people can buy exactly the same hearing aid and have them last vastly different amounts of time.
One factor that influences the longevity of hearing aids is the materials they are made from. Although they are designed to be durable, hearing aids have parts made of plastic, metal, silicon, polymers and other materials that may be subject to some degree of structural degradation over time. To get the longest life from your hearing aids, you can purchase aids that have a protective nano-coating to resist dust and moisture.
Another factor to consider is how frequently hearing aids are cleaned as they are routinely exposed to moisture, dust, skin oils and sweat, extreme temperatures and sunlight. All this occurs in addition to the earwax generated by your ear canal in its natural cleaning process. Some wearers only have their hearing aids professionally cleaned twice a year or so. This takes a toll on hearing aids and can significantly reduce their life expectancy. To help your hearing aids last longer, have them professionally cleaned every three to four months.
Content provided by HealthyHearing
How Long Do Hearing Aid Batteries Last
The lifespan of a hearing aid battery depends on the type of battery and how frequently a person uses the hearing aid.
Depending on usage, people should charge rechargeable hearing aids overnight. Most companies claim that they can last for 20-30 hours between charges.
In many models, if a person uses streaming from other devices via Bluetooth, the battery drains more quickly.
The rechargeable batteries themselves last for approximately 4-5 years before they need replacing.
For disposable batteries, the lifespan can range from 3 days to 3 weeks, though it depends on the size:
- Size 10 : 3-7 days
- Size 13 : 6-14 days
- Size 675 : 9-20 days
To ensure maximum efficiency from batteries, a person should switch off their hearing aids when not in use.
People should also not allow disposable batteries to come into contact with other metal objects, such as coins or keys, as this can short-circuit the battery.
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Joy Victory Managing Editor Healthy Hearing
Joy Victory has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best communicate evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results to the public. She strives to make health content accurate, accessible and engaging to the public.Read more about Joy.
Where Do You Store Your Hearing Aids
You should not wear hearing aids all day. Every manufacturer will give you their best practices for their device when it comes to storage and safety. Always be sure they are secure, not under any kind of pressure or in danger of being physically damaged, and that their storage area is free of mold or moisture. One key medical reason you should not wear your hearing aids all day is because they can promote an unhealthy environment in your ear canal which can lead to build-up of wax or even infection.
Secondly, when taking your hearing aids out for activities, be sure to take extra steps to ensure that they are appropriately stored. For instance, if you are going for a run on a hot day and would prefer your hearing aids not to get sticky or sweaty, leave them at home instead.
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