With the rapid advancements of technology these days, it is easy to wonder how often you will need to change your hearing aids. Hearing aid technology has improved tremendously over the past few decades, but hearing aids have always been designed with four core parts: A power source, a receiver, a microphone, and a processor.
The microphone collects and amplifies the sounds in your environment and passes it to the processor. A processor strengthens the signal and sends it to the receiver, which then delivers the amplified signal to the ear canal where the inner ear picks up the sound and sends the message to the brain. The power source, or battery, keeps the hearing aid working.
Advanced and Basic Hearing Aids
Depending on the processor, hearing aid technology is either advanced or basic. Hearing aids can be purchased based on design, battery type, telecoil, or with Bluetooth. Hearing aids provide exceptional benefits to the wearer.
Advanced digital hearing aids have more features and have become increasingly automatic with technology. With the new technology comes better benefits, but also higher costs. Advanced hearing aids have many features to help you hear better in social situations, like background noise reduction in social settings.
Basic hearing aids have limited adjustments for fine-tuning for hearing loss. They have fewer customizable features than those with advanced technology. Basic digital hearing aids also generally require you to make some manual adjustments in certain listening situations—such as turning the volume control up or down, or pushing a button on the aids to reduce background noise.
Hearing Aid replacement every 4-5 years
In most cases, people replace their hearing aids every 4-5 years. Determining the right time depends on multiple factors, including regular hearing checks with your health provider.
Yearly visits to your hearing specialist are also recommended. They will help you determine when you need hearing aid changes, to make adjustments, and reduce additional hearing loss.
Has your hearing changed over time?
Yearly health exams with your regular health practitioner will help ensure you are staying healthy. Yearly visits to your audiologist will help you continue to hear well. They will tell you when it is time for new hearing aids.
When health professionals can monitor your overall health and hearing, it is much easier to see signs and symptoms of poor health; including signs of dementia when you take care of yourself with regular checkups.
Regular check-ups with your audiologist
Because hearing loss can develop slowly over time, it is important to consider having regular hearing check-ups. You can have your audiologist establish a baseline hearing test that will help diagnose future hearing conditions that may cause tinnitus or hearing loss.
Hearing tests can help determine whether long-term sound exposure, medical conditions or aging has caused your hearing loss. If you are having routine hearing tests, your audiologist can make referrals to your healthcare team if they see symptoms that require follow-up and care.
If your hearing tests show a need for new hearing aids, your audiologist will determine which type of hearing aid works best for you. Maintaining an established relationship with your audiologist will ensure you have a professional who cares about your hearing health when you need them.
As well, your hearing specialist will provide you with the best way to care for your hearing aids since they require professional service and maintenance. You will need to have routine checkups for programming, adjustments, and care throughout the life of the hearing aides. When taken care of properly, your hearing aids will last between 3-5 years.
Hearing aids cost between $2,000 and $7,000 per ear. This may feel like a lot of money, but over time the most expensive hearing aids cost about $19.00 a day. Your health insurance may help cover the costs and payment plans are available. When it comes to living a healthy and vital lifestyle, this is a worthwhile investment.
Making an appointment with your licensed hearing care specialist will provide you with the following services to ensure that you find a hearing aid that is within your price range.
Professional Hearing Specialists often include the following additional services:
- Hearing aid demonstrations
- Office Visits
- Annual hearing tests
- Lifetime hearing aid maintenance and adjustments
- Regular in-office hearing aid cleaning
- Hearing aid programming
- Factory warranty on hearing aids
- Lost or damaged insurance policy
At Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, we strive to find you affordable hearing aids and provide you with exceptional care. We are ready to help you find the right financing options to fit your lifestyle and budget. We offer you the latest and most technologically advanced hearing aids and products from multiple manufacturers. Visit https://hearingassociateslv.com/hearing-aids/ today for more information.
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