If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made significant advancements. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even in the design phase 10 years ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to pick the right ones for your needs. A hearing test to find out how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Once you know how much hearing loss you have, you can begin to get a clearer look at your options. Here are a few reasons why it’s probably time to upgrade.
Reliability of hearing aids
Every once in a while you’ll get an annoying buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Sometimes, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, too. Newer designs compensate for common problems so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many strategies utilized by modern hearing aids. Noise filters minimize unwanted noise while directional microphones are made to focus on sound right in front of you. When your hearing aid is not properly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much better sound quality than older models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately reproduce sound. Modern hearing aids also often offer custom programs that are preset for specific environments.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. When somebody is speaking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be very helpful.
You have to replace the batteries – frequently
Price is always a factor with regard to upgrading your hearing aids. You may think that updating your hearing aid will be too expensive, but old antiquated hearing aids can be expensive as well. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the cost adds up.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time at the shop, also. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. It’s in for repair more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not inexpensive.
You’re not able to hear at work
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what customers, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to worry about whether you’ll miss important information or guidelines.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Dive in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Noticeable? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most compelling reasons to upgrade those outdated hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one tucked into your ear so no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
If you’re thinking about investing in new hearing aids, or if you’re already wearing them but you’re unhappy with the results, consider upgrading to a newer model. Technology has advanced significantly in the last few years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were impossible in the past. Get in touch with us for a consultation.