How long does a hearing aid usually last?
troymariner asked:
Seems like my hearing aids never last more than 5 or 6 years (I have the digital type). The first one cost me $1,600. Five years later the second one cost me $2,000. Now I’m about to get my third one and it will cost me $2,700. I would appreciate comments from anyone about how long their DIGITAL hearing aid has lasted them. Also appreciate comments about which brand they think is the best.
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Seems like my hearing aids never last more than 5 or 6 years (I have the digital type). The first one cost me $1,600. Five years later the second one cost me $2,000. Now I’m about to get my third one and it will cost me $2,700. I would appreciate comments from anyone about how long their DIGITAL hearing aid has lasted them. Also appreciate comments about which brand they think is the best.
April 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Until you turn it off hopefully, in this day and age.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:31 am
I got my digital hearing aid about 4 years ago and its still working (paid $1,200.00 for mine). However, I heard of the behind the ear aid works better at diminishing background sounds. My digital works but picks up everything but the person I am talking to! The behind-the-ear is more durable because you don’t get wax build-up in the ear mold. Check out the websites for the best one if this is the type you think that you would like.
April 6th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I don’t know but my dads seemed to start going out everytime his kids needed money but worked wonderfully when mom whispered sweet nothings in his ear.
April 9th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Practically ALL aids are digital now–it doesn’t make sense to get analog now that digitals have come down in price. MarkeTrack survey information estimates the average life span of a hearing aid in the US is 4 yrs 8 months, taking into account good and bad, high and low quality, and ITE and BTE aids. I quote my patients about 5-7 years. Hearing aids are discontinued generally after 3 years, so after 5-7 years the aids become obsolete and the manufacturers do not guarantee parts availability for repairs. Hearing aids are like computers–think of how much of a dinosaur your PC/laptop or even cell phone are after 5-7 years and you’ll understand why there is a life span on hearing aids like any other technology.
As for brands, I am a fan of Phonak, Widex, and GN Resound. All offer aids priced from entry level ($1000-1200 each) up to premium ($2700-3200 each). Many offices offer interest-free payment plans. You’ll also generally get longer life out of behind-the-ear aids.
April 12th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I’m not sure honestly never having had to have a hearing aid, but I would think that hearing aids like anything else, if you take care of them, will last longer.