If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also could be costing you in some ways. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made substantial progress. It’s changed from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even on the drawing board a decade ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll have to do in order to pick the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to identify if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you understand 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 most likely time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid reliability
Every once in a while you’ll get an annoying buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, how about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Newer models compensate for common issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much better technology.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing function that allows them to focus on particular voices they want 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 talking softly.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has become digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. In addition, many hearing aids now offer features including multiple programs that can be customized to different listening environments.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a variety of strategies to decrease background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters decrease unwanted sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, like smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
You have to switch out the batteries – a lot
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a consideration. The new technology isn’t cheap, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. Analog devices require new batteries a lot. The expenses will add up, especially if you have to replace batteries every day or more.
Old hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time getting repaired, also. Consider what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that concept to hearing aids. It’s in for repair more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t cheap.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a lower paycheck. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers better. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss critical information or guidelines.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t have to sit by yourself during discussions anymore. Get right back into being socially connected.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most compelling reasons to upgrade those outdated hearing aids. Quite a few styles, shapes, and sizes are available in contemporary hearing aids. You can have one nestled into your ear so no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
It’s time to think about upgrading your hearing aids if you’re not happy with the results you’re getting from your old pair. The things that modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Give us a call today to discuss your options.