The Lifecycle of Hearing Aids: Maintenance Secrets from an Audiologist

How Often Should I Get My Hearing Tested? How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?

Wondering how often you should get your hearing checked? Curious about maximizing the lifespan of hearing aids? We tackle these essential questions in our latest episode with Dr. Jill Copley, who brings clarity to hearing health maintenance schedules.

Most people don't realize that hearing tests follow different timelines depending on your life stage. While children receive regular screenings, adults often navigate without clear guidance. Dr. Copley recommends everyone get a baseline test at age 50, followed by evaluations every 2-3 years. Research shows hearing typically changes significantly every four years, making annual testing unnecessary for most people.

Watch for key warning signs that might warrant earlier testing: struggling to understand conversations in noisy environments and needing the TV volume higher than others find comfortable. For hearing aid users, we explore comprehensive maintenance strategies that significantly extend device life. Beyond basic at-home cleaning, Dr. Copley explains why periodic professional maintenance proves crucial – including manufacturer check-ups to ensure optimal performance.

We also discuss how hearing technology advances approximately every two years, with manufacturers constantly improving speech clarity in challenging environments like restaurants and family gatherings. Learn how establishing simple daily routines for device care can dramatically improve your hearing experience and device longevity.

Ready to transform your hearing health? If you're in the DFW Metroplex, call [phone] to schedule an appointment with Total Hearing Care or visit TotalHearingCare.com. Because when you hear better, you truly live better.

To learn more about Total Hearing Care visit:
https://www.TotalHearingCare.com

Total Hearing Care
Multiple Locations Across the DFW Metroplex
[phone]

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Total Hearing Care Difference where we
help you experience lifethrough better hearing.
Hosted by the experts at TotalHearing Care, a leading private
audiology practice serving theDFW Metroplex, we're here to
provide guidance on hearing loss, tinnitus and the latest
advancements in audiology.
Transform your life throughbetter hearing.

(00:23):
Let's get started.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Your hearing health plays an overall crucial role in
your overall well-being.
But how often should you gettested and how long can you
expect hearing aids to last?
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host,slash producer, back in the
studio with Dr Jill Copley.
Dr Copley, how's it going?

Speaker 3 (00:56):
It's going great.
Every time I talk to you, it'sgoing great, Sophia.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Aw, you're so sweet Now, Dr Copley.
Hearing care is something weoften overlook until it becomes
a problem.
Let's talk about how to beproactive.
How often should I get myhearing tested, and how long do
hearing aids last?

Speaker 3 (01:19):
That's a great question.
So it really depends on yourage.
So when you're born, there'ssomething called a newborn
hearing screening, and so allchildren born in hospitals or
similar kinds of environmentswill have their hearing screened
, and then, beyond that,children should have their

(01:39):
hearing screened within theschool system.
Now, once you get past that,there's not really a system in
place to have your hearingtested.
So we recommend being testedfor a baseline or just to see
how you're doing when you turn50.
So, along with all the otherthings you do when you're 50,

(02:01):
get your hearing tested.
Now, beyond that, I would sayprobably every two to three
years, maybe four years.
Research shows us that hearingchanges about every four years
significantly.
When we work with people withtheir hearing instruments, we
probably test them every two orthree years, unless we know

(02:23):
there might be an issue.
So if there's an issue orsomebody notices something, then
we'll test them.
Before that, a lot of peoplewill say let's test every year.
I think that's probably toomuch and I think other people
have other things to do.
So I would say every two and ahalf to three years for sure.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
Now.
Are there signs that indicatesomeone should schedule a
hearing test sooner rather thanlater, before that two to three
year mark?

Speaker 3 (02:52):
Yes, one thing to look for is if you're having
trouble understanding peoplearound you, especially in
background noise.
So that's one of the firstsigns of some hearing loss is
you're not doing as well inbackground noise as others
around you.
The other thing is if somebodysets the TV where it's
comfortable for them and you'rehaving difficulty, then that's

(03:15):
another easy sign to look at.
When somebody has hearinginstruments, there can be a
multitude of other issues.
So you can have that thoseissues I just mentioned, or
you're just not understanding,you're not hearing well, and
then we need to look and see ifit's the hearing instruments
that aren't working or if it'syour hearing loss, and so then

(03:38):
when we see you for anappointment, we look at both of
those things.

Speaker 2 (03:43):
Wow, Dr Copley, does that happen often.

Speaker 3 (03:47):
Like I said, most hearing loss is very gradual and
we see significant changesafter about four years.
But it's not unusual for peopleto notice things in between and
that's why we usually say everytwo to three years, especially
if you have hearing instruments,because we want to keep on top
of any changes so we can makesure to program those devices to

(04:12):
give you the best overalloutcome.

Speaker 2 (04:16):
Now, how can regular maintenance extend the life of
hearing aids?

Speaker 3 (04:24):
Great question.
So in our office we want peopleto come in every few months and
see our staff over the counterto have their hearing
instruments checked and cleaned,and that way we can see if
anything's going on with thehearing instruments About once a
year.
We actually like to send in thedevices to be checked by the

(04:46):
manufacturer Because these aretiny electronics and electronics
are always subject to wear andtear and degradation over time,
and so that way if we're sendingthem to the manufacturer, we
can keep up with that.
So we really recommend comingin often and letting us help you

(05:06):
with that system to make sureeverything is working, and that
will help your hearinginstruments last as long as
their lifetime.

Speaker 2 (05:17):
Dr Copley, are you telling me that your patients
can't clean their hearinginstruments at home?

Speaker 3 (05:23):
No, they definitely can, and we teach people how to
do some basic cleaning when theycome into our office.
We are able to do more in-depthcleaning for people.
And then there's some peoplethat just don't have the
dexterity or maybe the eyesightto be able to clean their
hearing instruments well, and sowe want them to come in so we

(05:45):
can help them, because that doeshappen.
We see a lot of older peoplewhere they just have difficulty.
That's okay, that happens, andwe're here to help.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Now do newer hearing aid technologies last longer
than older models.

Speaker 3 (06:02):
What happens is every two or three years, probably
every two.
Now manufacturers are going tocome out with new treatment
technology, and what that meansis there's always ongoing issues
that people with hearing lossmay have, such as background
noise, so that's a huge one forpeople.
They want to be able to hearpeople in a restaurant or at a

(06:25):
party, or even a gathering withtheir family where there may be
a large group of 10 or morepeople, and so the manufacturers
are focused on that.
They are always focused ongiving the brain information to
help people hear better,especially in those more
difficult situations.
So, even though hearinginstruments may last longer than

(06:48):
a few years, we know that thetreatment is going to improve.
So we are always letting peopleknow about the new treatments
and the new hearing instrumentsand what they can do better than
the previous ones.

Speaker 2 (07:03):
So, dr Copley, what lifestyle habits contribute to
keeping hearing aids functioningat their best?

Speaker 3 (07:12):
So I think you need to get into a routine.
If you take medicine, get intoa routine.
Most of the time now, hearinginstruments are rechargeable, so
you want to have a charger in aplace you're going to remember
to put the hearing instrumentsand then, when you get up in the
morning, you put them in.
You want to have a routinewhere you set aside time every

(07:34):
day, or at least every week Ihope people will do this every
week where they'll clean thehearing instruments and make
sure everything's working okayand then, like I said, beyond
that is to get in the habit ofworking with the audiologist and
the practice to make sure we'rehelping you, keep up to confirm

(07:56):
that the hearing instrumentsare working like they should.

Speaker 2 (07:59):
Wow, love it.
Dr Copley, that was a greatdiscussion.
Staying proactive about hearingtests and hearing aid
maintenance can make a hugedifference in long-term auditory
health.
Thanks for the insights andwe'll see you next time.

Speaker 3 (08:15):
You're welcome, sophia.
I appreciate your time, thanks.

Speaker 1 (08:21):
Thank you for listening to the Total Hearing
Care Difference.
If you're in the DFW Metroplexand ready to take the next step
toward better hearing, call469-218-4853 to book an
appointment or visitTotalHearingCarecom, because
when you hear better, you livebetter.
See you next time.