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 advancements. It’s changed to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features today that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to select the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to find out if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you understand how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can begin to get a clearer look at your choices. 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 aggravating buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. What about when you go next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to come out of nowhere, also. Your feedback will be significantly diminished with newer models which have functions that compensate for common issues.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume regulation was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is done by utilizing directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be useful in loud environments or when the wearer is trying to hear somebody who is talking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many methods used by modern hearing aids. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters minimize unwanted sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- 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. Modern hearing aids also often offer custom programs that are preset for specific situations.
Frequent battery replacing
Cost is always a factor in terms of a hearing aid upgrade. The new technology isn’t inexpensive, but neither is wearing old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you are replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the expense adds up.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more frequently. Think of what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. The costs of the constant repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a reduced income. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have important discussions without being concerned about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Get right back into being socially connected.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to upgrade those old 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 small enough that it will go unseen 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 pair. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.