If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they may be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made significant progress. It’s gone from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features currently 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 choose the best ones for your needs. A hearing test to identify how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can begin to narrow down your options. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid dependability
Every now and then you’ll get an aggravating buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. What about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Newer models compensate for prevalent issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume regulation was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and capability nowadays.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are a few of the many methods used by modern hearing aids. Noise filters reduce undesired noise while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide 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. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features such as multiple programs that can be tailored to different listening situations.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. The sound of the intended voice is picked up and amplified by directionally arranged microphones. Voice focus can be useful in noisy settings or when the wearer is trying to hear someone who is talking softly.
You have to switch out the batteries – a lot
Price is always a factor in terms of upgrading your hearing aids. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you’re replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more frequently than that, the cost adds up.
Old hearing aids can potentially spend more time getting repaired, too. 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 can’t hear your coworkers
Research reveals that individuals with untreated hearing loss will have a lower income. Doesn’t it seem sensible then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. 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.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be able to communicate 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 words come to mind? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages that come with updating old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one tucked into your ear so no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
If you’re considering investing in new hearing aids, or if you already have them but you’re not happy with the results, think about upgrading to a newer model. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.