If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also could be costing you in some ways. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made significant advancements. Ten years ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do in order to choose the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to find out if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you are aware of how much hearing loss you have, you can begin to get a clearer look at your options. Here are some reasons why it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid reliability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real issues, such as that aggravating buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you get next to a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no evident reason. Newer designs compensate for common issues so that you hear feedback less often.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids mainly specialized in correcting the volume. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is accomplished by utilizing directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be useful in noisy environments or when the wearer is trying to hear somebody who is speaking softly.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. This is because of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely duplicate sound. Modern hearing aids also frequently feature custom programs that are preset for specific environments.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are a few of the many methods used by contemporary hearing aids. Noise filters reduce undesired sound while directional microphones are designed to detect sound right in front of you. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
You have to replace the batteries – frequently
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a factor. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is wearing old, out-of-date hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need to be replaced frequently. If you’re replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the cost adds up.
Old hearing aids break down and need to go to the shop for repair more often. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. The costs of the constant repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a lower income. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow instructions without questioning if you got it right and have essential conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
Clearly, better communication means a better quality of life, too. You don’t have to sit like a wallflower during discussions anymore. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what comes to mind? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most significant reasons to replace those old hearing aids. Quite a few styles, shapes, and sizes are available in modern hearing aids. You can have one tucked into your ear so nobody will ever see it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy with the results you’re getting from your old set. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Contact us today to discuss your options.