If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they may be better than no hearing aids, but they also could be costing you in some ways. Hearing aid technology has progressed a great deal in the last few years! It’s changed to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features today that weren’t even on the drawing board a decade ago.
When you determine it’s time to upgrade, choosing the correct one will take a little preparation. A hearing exam to find out how your hearing has changed will be needed first. Once you know how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can start to get a clearer look at your options. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Dependability of hearing aids
Every once in a while you’ll get an annoying buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no distinct reason. Your feedback will be significantly reduced with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids primarily focused on fixing the volume. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much better technology.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much better sound quality than older models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately reproduce sound. In addition, many hearing aids now provide features such as multiple programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a variety of 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 reduce undesirable noises from all directions. When your hearing aid is not properly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing feature that allows them to focus on particular voices they want to hear. This is done by utilizing directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be helpful in loud environments or when the user is trying to hear someone who is talking softly.
Frequent battery replacement
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a factor. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is wearing old, outdated hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices die and need to be replaced frequently. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the expense adds up.
Out-dated hearing aids break down 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 continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research demonstrates that individuals with neglected hearing loss will have a lower income. Naturally, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers better. You will follow instructions without questioning if you got it right and have essential conversations without being concerned 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. Get right back into being socially connected.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most considerable reasons to replace those outdated hearing aids. Quite a few styles, shapes, and sizes are available in modern hearing aids. You can have one tucked into your ear so no one will ever see 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 not happy with the results you’re getting from your old pair. Technology has advanced significantly in the past several years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were never possible in the past. Call us today to talk about your options.