Your 3-Year Hearing Aid Check-Up: Hearing, Maintenance, and Ongoing Care
Three years with your hearing aids is a good time to check in on how things are going. Even if your hearing feels about the same, your hearing can change gradually over time, and your hearing aids are also exposed to everyday wear and tear.
Your 3-year appointment gives your clinician an opportunity to update your hearing test, check the condition and performance of your hearing aids, and make any adjustments needed based on your current hearing and listening needs.
It is also a chance to talk about anything you’ve noticed since your last appointment, whether that’s difficulty hearing in certain situations, changes in comfort, or questions about your hearing aids.
Key Takeaways
- Hearing can change gradually over time, even if you haven’t noticed a difference.
- Your 3-year appointment includes an updated hearing assessment to compare your current hearing with previous results.
- Your hearing aids will be professionally cleaned, inspected, and checked for proper performance.
- Your clinician can make adjustments based on changes in your hearing or listening needs.
- Regular hearing aid checkups and maintenance can help keep your devices working properly.
- Your appointment is also an opportunity to discuss any concerns you’ve noticed or ask questions about newer hearing aid technology.
Why Is a Hearing Test Important After 3 Years?
Your hearing doesn’t necessarily stay the same from year to year. Changes can happen gradually, which means you may not notice a difference in your everyday life until the change becomes more significant.
That’s one reason regular hearing assessments are important when you wear hearing aids. An updated audiogram allows your clinician to compare your current hearing with your previous results and identify any changes.
Your listening needs can also change over time. You may spend more time in restaurants, attend more social events, use your hearing aids for streaming, or find that certain listening situations have become more challenging – so your 3-year appointment is an opportunity to look at both your hearing and how your hearing aids are working for you.
What Happens at a 3-Year Hearing Appointment?
Your appointment includes several steps to make sure your hearing and hearing aids are both being properly monitored.
Hearing Reassessment
Your clinician will reassess your hearing to identify any changes since your previous appointment. Depending on your needs, your hearing assessment may include:
- Looking inside your ears with an otoscope
- Pure-tone hearing testing
- Speech recognition testing
- Comparing your current results with previous audiograms
Once the testing is complete, your clinician will review the results with you and explain what they mean.
Hearing Aid Cleaning and Inspection
Your hearing aids are exposed to earwax, moisture, dust, and everyday use. Over time, these things can affect how your devices perform. Your clinician will professionally clean and inspect your hearing aids and check important components for signs of wear or damage. This may include checking:
- Microphones
- Receivers or speakers
- Domes or earmolds
- Tubing, where applicable
- Charging contacts
- Battery performance
- Overall physical condition
Regular professional cleaning can help identify potential problems before they become more noticeable.
Hearing Aid Performance Check
Your hearing aids will also be evaluated to make sure they are functioning properly. If your clinician identifies an issue, they can explain what may be causing it and whether the device needs cleaning, programming, maintenance, or repair.
Personalized Hearing Aid Adjustments
If your hearing has changed, your hearing aids may need to be adjusted to match your current hearing levels. Your clinician can also make programming changes based on how you’re using your hearing aids and the situations where you’re having difficulty.
For example, you may find that:
- Conversations in restaurants have become more difficult
- You’re turning the volume up more often
- Speech doesn’t sound as clear as it used to
- Certain sounds feel too loud
- You’re having more difficulty hearing on the phone
Your clinician can use your updated hearing results and your feedback about everyday listening to determine whether adjustments could help.
Ready for Your 3-Year Check-In?
Your annual hearing test is a chance to check in on your hearing, your hearing aids, and how well they’re working for you.
Can My Hearing Aids Be Adjusted or Do I Need New Ones?
Having your hearing aids for three years doesn’t automatically mean you need to replace them. If your devices are working properly and continue to meet your hearing needs, they may just need routine maintenance and programming adjustments. Your clinician can help you determine whether your current hearing aids are still providing the right level of support.
However, there are times when newer hearing aids may make sense. Your clinician may discuss other options if:
- Your hearing has changed significantly
- Your current hearing aids can no longer provide the amplification you need
- Your devices require frequent repairs
- Battery performance has declined
- Your hearing aids are showing significant wear
- Your listening needs have changed
- You are interested in newer features or technology
What If I’m Interested in Upgrading My Hearing Aids?
Three years can be a long time in hearing aid technology. If you’re curious about newer devices, your appointment is a good opportunity to learn what’s changed and see whether an upgrade could benefit you.
Many patients may also be eligible for the Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP) grant again when they are replacing their hearing aids. Your clinician can review your eligibility and help you understand how much funding may be available based on your situation.
You can also experience new hearing aids before making a decision. Hearing Solutions offers a risk-free trial, or, Try Before You Buy Program, giving you the opportunity to wear new hearing aids in your everyday life and see how they work for you.
There is no expectation that you need to upgrade simply because you’ve reached the three-year mark. Your clinician can help you weigh the condition and performance of your current hearing aids against your current hearing needs and the benefits of newer technology.
If you’re interested in learning more about when to know if it’s time to upgrade, read our full guide.
How Long Do Hearing Aids Last?
There isn’t one set lifespan for every hearing aid. How long your devices last can depend on the type of hearing aid, how often you wear them, how well they are maintained, and their exposure to moisture, earwax, and everyday wear.
Regular cleaning and professional inspections can help keep your hearing aids performing properly and may help extend their useful life. If your hearing aids are still working well after three years, they may continue to serve you for years to come. Your clinician can help you determine whether your current devices are still a good fit for your hearing needs.
Make the Most Out of Your Annual Hearing Test
Bring your hearing aids, charger, and any questions or concerns you’ve noticed since your last visit.
What Should I Bring to My Appointment?
There’s no special preparation required for your 3-year hearing aid appointment. We recommend bringing:
- Your hearing aids so they can be cleaned, inspected, and checked
- Your health card
- Your insurance card, if you have extended health benefits
- Any questions or concerns you’ve noticed since your last appointment
If you’ve been experiencing a specific problem, it can be helpful to think about when it happens. For example, you may have no trouble hearing at home but struggle to follow conversations in restaurants or group settings. You can also bring a family member or close friend if you’d like someone there to provide another perspective or help remember what was discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hearing test every year if I have hearing aids?
Regular hearing assessments allow your clinician to monitor changes in your hearing and make sure your hearing aids continue to provide appropriate amplification. Your clinician can recommend how often you should have your hearing tested based on your individual hearing needs.
Do I need new hearing aids after 3 years?
Not necessarily. Three years is not a specific replacement point for hearing aids. If your devices are working properly and continue to meet your needs, they may not need to be replaced.
Can my hearing aids be adjusted if my hearing has changed?
In many cases, yes. Your clinician can compare your updated hearing test with your previous results and determine whether your hearing aids can be reprogrammed to match your current hearing.
How long do hearing aids usually last?
Hearing aid lifespan varies depending on the device, how it is used, maintenance, and other factors. Regular cleaning, professional inspections, and proper care can help keep hearing aids working properly.
What happens if my hearing aids aren’t working properly?
Your clinician can inspect and test your hearing aids to identify potential problems. Depending on the issue, they may be able to resolve it in the clinic or recommend further servicing or repair.
Is the 3-year hearing aid appointment complimentary?
Your 3-year audiogram update is complimentary as part of your ongoing care with Hearing Solutions. Your clinician will reassess your hearing and check your hearing aids to help ensure they continue to meet your needs.
Next Steps
Your 3-year appointment is an important part of ongoing hearing care. It gives you the opportunity to check for changes in your hearing, make sure your hearing aids are working properly, and address any concerns you may have.
Even if everything seems to be working well, keeping your hearing and hearing aids monitored can help you stay on top of changes and continue getting the most from your devices. Schedule your audiogram update today.
