Are Hearing Aids Designed to Fail? | Planned Obsolescence

The consumer electronics world is well known for designing products that have a limited life-span.  Some of these products are even designed to fail. Several weeks ago the Country of Italy fined Apple and Samsung for creating updates to their Operating Systems that make their older smartphones function slower.  Back in 2003, YouTuber Casey Neistat, made a video about how Apple iPod batteries only lasted 18 months and it was cheaper to replace the device than replace the battery.  

Both of these are cases of Planned Obsolescence which, as the name implies, is the development of a product with the intent for it to someday become obsolete so it forces the purchase of a new product.What about hearing aids?

Are they designed to become obsolete?Hearing aids can be repaired by "all-make" repair services no matter how old they are.  If parts can't be found, parts can be made.  There are nearly no limitations from a repair standpoint for hearing aids.How about programming?Hearing aid software can be obtained from the manufacturer no matter how old your hearing aids are.  

If it isn't already embedded in the current software, the manufacturer can be contacted to get a CD, Flashdrive, or web link to download it.  Again, no matter how old the hearing aid, there is software to program it.When it comes to hearing aids, they are designed to last.  You just have to find a hearing care provider who is willing to put in the work instead of just defaulting into a recommendation of new hearing aids.