What Does My Hearing Aid Warranty Cover?

When you live with hearing loss, hearing aids are a vital but expensive out-of-pocket investment. In spite of how well you take care of them, these tiny investments are also susceptible to breaking, getting lost, or otherwise malfunctioning for no apparent reason. This is where your hearing aid warranty can be a lifesaver! If you haven’t had hearing aids for very long, you might still be confused about what that warranty covers and how long it lasts. Here’s a brief overview to give you an idea of how your future hearing aid repairs will need to be handled.

What hearing aid warranties cover

The exact details of your hearing aid warranty will depend on the manufacturer, so it’s important to read it in detail and address any questions to the company’s customer service directly. Still, it’s possible to make generalizations about what these warranties typically  cover under the three following categories:

• Repairs needed due to normal wear of either physical or electronic components
• Damages caused by both preventable and unpreventable circumstances (abuse, exposure to water or heat, etc.)
• Loss or complete destruction of the hearing aid in the course of everyday life

The coverage period

The average hearing aid warranty will cover just about anything in these categories for at least one year after purchase, with some exceptions. For instance, most hearing aid manufacturers will completely replace your hearing aid at least once, but might require you to pay a deductible. Some manufacturers provide warranties that extend an additional two to three years, at a cost – typically referred to as extended warranties.

Beyond the hearing device warranty

Why do hearing aid warranties only extend four years? The simple answer is that the typical lifespan of a hearing aid is six years, so it doesn’t make sense to offer coverage past its prime. That doesn’t mean your hearing aid will stop working after six years, especially if you take good care of it. If you own a higher-end device that’s built to last, it might be wise to consider taking out a dedicated insurance policy for it after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. You could also check with your homeowner’s policy to see if it covers your hearing aid.

The lifespan of your hearing aid depends on many factors, not all of which you have control over. However, having that warranty in place, being familiar with what it covers, and keeping in mind how long it will last provides you some peace of mind. Finally, don’t forget to contact your hearing healthcare professional and hearing aid manufacturer with any questions you have about warranty coverage and repair.