If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they may 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 now that weren’t even on the drawing board 10 years ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll have to do in order to select the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to determine if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you are aware of how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can start to narrow down your choices. Here are some reasons why it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid reliability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real problems, such as that aggravating buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you go next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? At times, they will squeal with feedback for no evident reason. Newer designs compensate for prevalent problems so that you hear feedback less often.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids primarily focused on correcting the volume. Hearing aids have much more technology and capability nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are a few of the many strategies utilized by contemporary hearing aids. Noise filters decrease undesired sound while directional microphones are made to focus on sound right in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to counter the whistling sound that can occur when hearing aids are not fitted properly.
- 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 intended voice is picked up and boosted by directionally arranged microphones. When someone is speaking quietly or in a loud setting, voice focus can be quite helpful.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately reproduce sound. In addition, many hearing aids now provide features such as numerous programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
You have to change the batteries – a lot
Cost is always a consideration with regard to upgrading your hearing aids. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will cost too much, but old antiquated hearing aids can be costly too. The batteries in analog devices die and need to be replaced frequently. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more often than that, the cost adds up.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time getting repaired, also. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. 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 mean a reduced income. Doesn’t it seem sensible then, that better hearing aids would be a career asset? You’ll hear your boss and customers better. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss important information or instructions.
Of course, stronger communication means a better quality of life, as well. You don’t have to sit like a wallflower in the middle of discussions anymore. Get right back into being socially connected.
You want something more discreet
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what comes to mind? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to upgrade those old hearing aids. Modern 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 undetected by others.
If you’re thinking about investing in new hearing aids, or if you already have them but you’re unhappy with the results, consider upgrading to a newer model. Technology has advanced significantly 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.
