If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they may 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. A decade ago many of the features of modern hearing aids weren’t even in development, going digital for instance.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do to choose the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to determine if your level of hearing loss has changed. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can start to narrow down your options. Here are some reasons why it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Reliability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, like that irritating buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? At times, they will squeal with feedback for no distinct reason. Newer designs compensate for common problems so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids mainly specialized in correcting the volume. Nowadays, hearing aids are loaded with much better technology.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use numerous techniques to decrease background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Directional microphones center on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters minimize undesirable noises from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing feature that lets them focus on specific voices they want to hear. The sound of the intended voice is detected and amplified by directionally set microphones. When somebody is speaking quietly or in a loud setting, voice focus can be quite helpful.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has become digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more precise way. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are preset for specific situations.
Frequent battery replacement
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a consideration. The new technology is not cheap, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need to be replaced a lot. If you are replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the cost adds up.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more often. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the concept. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research has shown that hearing loss can lead to a lower income. Obviously, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You will hear your boss and customers better. You won’t have to worry about whether you’ll miss significant information or instructions.
Of course, better communication means an enhanced quality of life, too. You don’t need to sit by yourself during discussions anymore. Jump in and connect with the people around you.
You’re looking for something more subtle
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most significant reasons to replace those outdated hearing aids. A number of styles, shapes, and sizes are available in contemporary hearing aids. You could either get one in your favorite color and make a fashion statement or get one discrete enough that it will go unobserved by others.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy with the results you’re getting from your old set. Technology has come a long way in the last several years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were impossible before. Contact us for a consultation.
