While it may be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, it’s likely that what small advantage you get from them comes at a cost. Hearing aid technology has progressed a great deal in the past few years! It’s changed from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features today that weren’t even on the drawing board 10 years ago.
When you determine it’s time to update, choosing the correct one will take some preparation. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to identify if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you are aware of how much hearing loss you have, you can start to get a clearer look at your options. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time to upgrade.
Dependability of hearing aids
Every now and then you’ll get an irritating buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, how about feedback anytime you get close to a phone? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Newer designs compensate for prevalent issues so that you hear feedback less often.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids primarily focused on fixing the volume. Today, hearing aids are equipped with much more advanced technology.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much better sound quality than older models. This is because of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely reproduce sound. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are preset for specific situations.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by using directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be useful in noisy settings or when the user is trying to hear someone who is talking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many methods utilized by contemporary hearing aids. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters minimize unwanted noises from all directions. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
You have to switch out the batteries – a lot
When we’re thinking about a hearing aid upgrade, cost is always a consideration. You might think that upgrading your hearing aid will cost too much, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly too. The batteries in analog devices die and need replacement frequently. The costs will add up, especially if you need to replace batteries every day or more.
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 idea. It’s in for repair more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not inexpensive.
You’re not able to hear at work
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a lower income. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow instructions without questioning if you got it right and have important discussions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Jump in and connect 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? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Quite a few shapes, styles, 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 your favorite color.
It’s time to think about 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 wasn’t even possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.