If you’re still using 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 substantial progress. It’s changed to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even in the design phase 10 years ago.
When you decide it’s time to upgrade, choosing the right one will take a little preparation. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to determine if your level of hearing loss has changed. Your options will begin to be narrowed down once we identify your present degree of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid dependability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real problems, such as that aggravating buzz you hear every once in a while. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be significantly decreased with newer models which have functions that compensate for common issues.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Nowadays, hearing aids are loaded with much more advanced technology.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want to hear. The sound of the desired voice is picked up and amplified by directionally arranged microphones. When somebody is talking quietly or in a loud setting, voice focus can be very helpful.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day models. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely reproduce sound. Modern hearing aids also frequently feature custom programs that are preset for specific settings.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to sync to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a number of strategies to minimize background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Noise filters minimize undesired noise while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
Frequent battery replacement
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a consideration. You may think that updating your hearing aid will cost too much, but old antiquated hearing aids can be costly also. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you are replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the expense adds up.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more frequently. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t cheap.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research demonstrates that people with untreated hearing loss will have a lower income. Naturally, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have a better time hearing what customers, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You will follow directions without wondering if you got it right and have essential discussions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Clearly, better communication means an enhanced quality of life, too. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Get right back into being socially engaged.
You want something more subtle
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what comes to mind? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages that come with updating old hearing aids are flexibility and style. Today’s hearing aids come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. You could either get one in your favorite color and make a fashion statement or get one discrete enough that it will go unnoticed by others.
It’s time to think about upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy with the results you’re getting from your old set. Technology has advanced significantly in the last several years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were never possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.