Like Clint I wear mine when I'm at church or with my grandchildren etc. but not every waking hour. My HA tech tells me that sporadic use will cause my hearing to deteriorate more quickly but in 6 years there has been no change. I am of the opinion that she wants me to use em all the time so that they will wear out more quickly and then she can sell me another ridiculously overpriced pair. Two years ago, while living in the Philippines mine needed a repair so while there I priced the same pair new. My 5000.00 HA cost 1450.00 there. Same Siemans- same model etc. Kind of an obscene profit margin seems to me.