Hearing Aid Lifespan: What Makes Hearing Aids Last and When to Check Them

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

There is no single fixed number for hearing aid lifespan. How long a hearing aid keeps working well depends on how it is cleaned, dried, charged or powered and stored, how much heat, sweat and earwax it meets, and whether your hearing or your needs change. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) does not give a number of years, but it does say that proper maintenance and care will extend the life of a hearing aid.

So the useful question is not "how many years will it last?" but "what can I do so it lasts as long as possible, and how will I know when it is time for a change?" This guide answers both, with habits you can start today and signs that it is worth booking a check.

What decides hearing aid lifespan?

A hearing aid is a small electronic device that sits in or behind the ear for many hours a day. A few things wear it down over time:

Moisture and heat. NIDCD advises keeping hearing aids away from heat and moisture. In a warm, humid climate, sweat and humidity are a daily factor, not an occasional one.
Earwax and ear drainage. NIDCD notes that earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid. Wax that builds up in the receiver or the sound outlet is one of the most common reasons a device sounds weak.
Physical knocks. Drops onto hard floors, being sat on, or being picked up by a pet or a child can crack a case or damage a wire.
Power habits. Leaving dead batteries in the device, or a rechargeable device never placed on its charger properly, adds strain and frustration.
Changes in your hearing. Sometimes the hearing aid is still working, but your hearing has changed and the device no longer gives you enough help. That is a question for a hearing test, not a repair.

Habits that help your hearing aids last

None of this needs special tools. Small daily habits matter more than occasional deep cleaning.

Clean it every day. Wipe the case with a soft dry cloth and check the receiver, dome or earmould for wax. Our everyday care guide shows the routine step by step.
Change the small parts on time. Wax guards, domes and, on models that have them, microphone filters are made to be replaced. Our catalogue lists exchangeable microphone filters on the Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP families, for example. Ask at your fitting which parts your model uses and how to change them.
Keep it dry. Take the hearing aids out before washing, showering, wudu or swimming, and dry your ears and hair before putting them back. For a hot climate, read our tips on heat, sweat and humidity.
Store it safely. Keep the hearing aids in their case or charger, out of reach of children and pets, and away from sunny windowsills and car dashboards.
Handle it over a soft surface. Insert, remove and change batteries over a bed or a towel, so a slip does not end on a tiled floor.
Follow the power routine. For battery models, replace dead batteries promptly, as NIDCD advises, and leave the battery door open overnight. For rechargeable models, place them in the charger as shown at your fitting.

A printable routine helps if several people in the family look after one person's hearing aids. Our hearing aid care checklist puts the daily, weekly and monthly steps in one place.

Rechargeable or battery: does it change lifespan?

Both kinds can last well with good care, and the habits differ more than the durability. In the Danavox catalogue on this site, KLAR, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP all include rechargeable models, while other models use disposable zinc-air batteries in sizes 10, 312, 13 or 675, depending on the model.

Battery models: the battery is a consumable. Keeping the battery door and contacts clean and dry matters.
Rechargeable models: the charger becomes part of daily life. Keep the charging contacts clean and the charger somewhere dry. Danavox describes its Premium Charger as a powerbank-style charger with an onboard battery for up to three days of portable charging.

Your audiologist can explain which power option suits your routine and your handling.

Is it really waterproof? IP68 explained simply

Many models in our catalogue are listed as IP68-certified. IP68 is a rating for resistance to dust and water. It helps a hearing aid cope with sweat, rain and humidity, but it does not mean the device is meant for swimming or showering. Treat the rating as protection against accidents, not as permission.

Warranty and maintenance in the first year

Every Danavox hearing aid from Jordan Hearing & Speech comes with a one-year warranty from the date of purchase. It covers manufacturing defects and maintenance. During the warranty there is a periodic visit every three months that includes a hearing test (audiogram), programming and free maintenance. These visits are a good chance to catch wax build-up, worn parts and small changes in your hearing early.

The warranty does not cover breakage, misuse, cut wires, or hearing aids dropped into liquids. It applies on condition that the hearing aids are not programmed at another hearing centre and that no repair is attempted by a technician outside our centre. Our after-sales services include programming, fine-tuning, maintenance, follow-up, cleaning, periodic check-ups, and home support for patients who are unable to come to the clinic.

Signs it may be time for a check, repair or change

Some signs point to a simple cleaning job; others suggest a bigger question. Book a check if you notice:

The sound is weak, crackly or cuts in and out even after cleaning and a fresh battery or full charge.
Whistling that was not there before, or the device no longer sits securely.
Visible cracks, a loose battery door or a damaged wire.
A rechargeable model that no longer gets you through your usual day.
You are struggling more in conversations, even though the device seems to be working. Your hearing may have changed, and a new hearing test shows whether reprogramming is enough.
Your needs have changed, for example you now want to stream phone calls or use TV accessories.

Whether to repair, reprogram or change the device is decided after the hearing aids are checked and, where needed, your hearing is retested. You can browse the current range in our hearing aid catalogue if you want to see what newer models offer.

If you notice a sudden drop in hearing in one or both ears, do not wait for a hearing aid appointment: seek medical care the same day.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a hearing aid last?

There is no fixed number of years that applies to every hearing aid. NIDCD says proper maintenance and care will extend the life of a hearing aid, and in practice moisture, earwax, drops and changes in your hearing all play a part. Your audiologist can tell you how your own devices are holding up at each check.

Does cleaning really make a difference?

Yes. NIDCD notes that earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid, and wax in the receiver or sound outlet is a common reason for weak sound. Daily wiping and timely changes of wax guards and domes are among the simplest ways to protect the device.

Can I repair my hearing aid myself or at another shop?

Simple steps such as cleaning and changing domes or wax guards are part of normal care. Opening the device or having it repaired or programmed elsewhere is different: under our warranty condition, the hearing aids must not be programmed at another hearing centre and no repair may be attempted by a technician outside our centre.

My hearing aid works but I hear less well. Is it broken?

Not necessarily. Your hearing may have changed, or wax may be blocking the sound. Start with cleaning and a fresh battery or full charge, then book a hearing test so the settings can be checked against your current results.

Book an appointment

If your hearing aids sound different, feel loose or no longer meet your needs, book an appointment or call or WhatsApp us on +968 9171 8373. We check the device, test your hearing where needed and adjust or service your hearing aids as part of our Danavox hearing aid fitting and follow-up service in Bousher, Muscat.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
Danavox product and accessory details as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Hearing Aid Selection, Fitting, Programming & Follow-up