It’s a classic scenario, played out in countless TV shows: A family member needs a new hearing aid, but doesn’t realize it. The rest of the family, tired of yelling and gesticulating, finally packs their reluctant relative in the car and rushes them off to the nearest hearing clinic—and everyone’s lives are transformed by this latest and greatest new piece of technology.
While this scene is usually played for laughs on TV, it’s actually a reality-based scenario for many families. According to a recent CDC study, nearly half (46 percent) of Americans with hearing loss haven’t seen a doctor for their condition within the last five years. Add to that a pandemic economy, coupled with the high cost of hearing aids (and doctor visits), and it’s a foregone conclusion that many people are wearing outdated hearing aids due to economic constraints.
How do you know when it’s time to buy a new hearing aid? Learn about hearing aid longevity, why it’s important to replace your worn-out hearing aid, and how you can do so at an affordable price.
How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?
The average lifespan for a high-quality hearing aid is three to seven years. This longevity is based on factors that include:
- Patient health: Increasing age or advancing health issues can make it necessary to update your hearing aid.
- Frequency of cleaning: With daily wear, hearing aids are exposed to sunlight, changing temperatures, and natural body processes such as sweating and ear wax production. That’s why it’s necessary to clean your hearing aids daily, and, if necessary, consider scheduling a professional cleaning every six months or so.
- Tech advancements: If you haven’t replaced your hearing aids lately, you’ll be astonished at the new advancements in sound processing, customized user settings, and Bluetooth compatibility.
When Is It Time to Purchase a New Hearing Aid?
You find that you just can’t hear as well anymore.
While this is the obvious answer, it’s still the litmus test. Here’s a quick checklist from the CDC study mentioned above:
- Are you frustrated by not being able to understand family and friends?
- Can you follow a conversation when there’s background noise?
- Can you follow a conversation even if you can’t see the person’s face?
Unfortunately, it’s easy to become desensitized to a low-quality hearing aid; so if you’re not sure, ask your relatives or colleagues at work if they’ve noticed any difference in your hearing. They’ll be sure to tell you (see “yelling relatives” above).
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Endless whistling and high-pitched whines are sometimes a sign of increased ear wax production. However, they can also indicate that it’s time for a new hearing aid.
It’s no longer reliable.
If you’re experiencing a shorter battery life, or your hearing aid is stopping and starting, you may need to replace your hearing aids.
You’re having health and lifestyle changes.
Health changes can greatly impact hearing. Likewise, if you’ve started a new career or embarked on a new regimen of outdoor exercise (such as hiking), you may need to update to a hearing aid with more advanced technology that will meet these demands.
An Affordable Way to Replace Your Hearing Aid
In today’s market, the average price for a single hearing aid from a clinic is around $2,560 (or $5,120 per pair, which is the way most consumers purchase them). These are daunting figures—and that’s why so many people have discovered the benefits of buying hearing aids online.
If you’re ready to replace your hearing aid, the good news is that you can do everything—from testing your hearing to purchasing hearing aids—online at a fraction of the cost. The process starts with a free online hearing test. Next, an online specialist can assess your test results and recommend the best hearing aid for your health needs and lifestyle. Finally, you can choose from a variety of high-quality, FDA-registered hearing aids, priced from hundreds to thousands of dollars less.
However, when shopping online for hearing aids, be sure to do your research. Retailers like Costco are advertising bargain hearing aids, but these can still cost $1,399 a pair. That’s why it’s important to find an online retailer that specializes exclusively in top-notch (but still affordable) hearing aids and accessories.
The MDHearing Solution
Enter MDHearing, an online company that pioneered direct-to-customer hearing aid sales more than a decade ago. Founded by a Chicago ENT doctor who was appalled at the high cost of hearing aids, we specialize in providing the same state-of-the-art hearing technology offered by brick and mortar stores and clinics, but at greatly reduced prices. To date, more than half a million Americans have purchased their hearing aids from MDHearing.
Because we cut out the middleman (and eliminate overhead costs), MDHearing customers can purchase a pair of hearing aids for as little as $399.98, representing a savings of more than $1,000 per hearing aid over similar Costco models. Likewise, an advanced pair of rechargeable hearing aids costs only $599.98, and a pair of smart-technology Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids—similar to products priced at $4,500—costs only $999.98. In addition, MDHearing offers a no-risk 45-day return policy, U.S.-based customer service, free shipping, and affordable monthly payment plans.
Investing in a hearing aid is a small price to pay for better life quality and overall well-being—but why pay thousands of dollars more? If you’re ready to improve the quality of your hearing, be sure to contact MDHearing to find out more about our affordable high-tech hearing aids.
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