If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they might 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 developments. A decade ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do to pick the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to identify if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you understand how much hearing loss you have, you can begin to get a clearer look at your choices. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid reliability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, like that irritating buzz you hear every once in a while. What about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no apparent reason. Your feedback will be significantly reduced with newer models which have features 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 capability nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. Signal processing has become digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. In addition, many hearing aids now offer features including numerous programs that can be customized to different listening environments.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be helpful in loud settings or when the user is trying to hear somebody who is speaking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many techniques used by modern hearing aids. Directional microphones center on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters minimize unwanted sounds from all directions. Feedback cancellation helps to counter the whistling sound that can take place when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
Frequent battery replacing
Cost is always a factor with regard to upgrading your hearing aids. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will cost too much, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly too. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need to be replaced a lot. The expenses 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. Consider what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not able to hear at work
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a reduced income. Doesn’t it seem sensible then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll have an easier time hearing what customers, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss important information or instructions.
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 engaged.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to replace those outdated hearing aids. Modern hearing aids come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You could either get one in your favorite color and make a fashion statement or get one small enough that it will go undetected by others.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy with the results you’re getting from your old pair. Technology has come a long way in the last few years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were impossible before. Contact us today to discuss your options.