If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they may 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 modern hearing aids weren’t even in development, going digital for instance.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll have to do in order to choose the right ones for your needs. A hearing exam to establish how your hearing has changed will be required first. Once you are aware of how much hearing loss you have, you can start to narrow down your choices. Here are a few reasons why it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Reliability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, such as that aggravating buzz you hear every once in a while. How about when you get next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to happen out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be greatly reduced 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 much more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. When somebody is talking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be really helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use numerous techniques to decrease background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the user, while noise filters decrease undesirable sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t properly fitted, a whistling sound can occur 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. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately duplicate sound. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features including multiple programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
You have to change the batteries – a lot
Cost is always a factor when it comes to upgrading your hearing aids. The new technology isn’t inexpensive, but neither is wearing old, outdated hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need replacement a lot. The costs will add up, especially if you have to switch out batteries every day or more.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time getting repaired, also. If you view 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 cheap.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. Obviously, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You will follow instructions without wondering if you got it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Clearly, stronger communication means a better quality of life, also. You don’t have to sit by yourself during discussions anymore. Get right back into being socially engaged.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what words come to mind? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages that come with updating old hearing aids are flexibility and style. 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 notice 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 pair. Technology has come a long way in the past few years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were impossible in the past. Contact us for a consultation.