While it may be true that older hearing aids are better than no hearing aids, chances are what little benefit you get from them comes at a cost. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made significant developments. A decade ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
When you determine it’s time to upgrade, choosing the right one will take some preparation. A hearing exam to identify how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Once you are aware of 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 to upgrade.
Hearing aid dependability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant issues, such as that aggravating buzz you hear every now and then. And, what about feedback anytime you get close to a phone? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Your feedback will be significantly decreased with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many methods utilized by modern hearing aids. Directional microphones center on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters reduce undesirable sounds from all directions. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
- 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 precise way. In addition, many hearing aids now provide features including numerous programs that can be customized to different listening environments.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to connect to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing function that allows them to focus on specific voices they want to hear. The sound of the desired voice is detected and boosted by directionally set microphones. Voice focus can be helpful in noisy settings or when the wearer is attempting to hear someone who is talking softly.
Frequent battery replacement
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a consideration. You might think that updating your hearing aid will cost too much, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly also. Analog devices need new batteries a lot. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the expense adds up.
Old hearing aids break down and need to go to the shop for repair more often. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research reveals that people with untreated hearing loss will earn less. Doesn’t it seem sensible then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll hear your boss and customers better. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
Of course, stronger communication means a better quality of life, too. You don’t have to sit by yourself during conversations anymore. Dive in and connect with the people around you.
You want something more subtle
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to replace those old hearing aids. Quite a few shapes, styles, 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 undetected 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 set. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Contact us today to discuss your options.