If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Hearing aid technology has progressed a great deal in the last few years! It’s changed from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even on the drawing board a decade ago.
When you determine it’s time to update, choosing the correct one will take some planning. A hearing exam to establish how your hearing has changed will be required first. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you have, you can begin to get a clearer look at your options. Here are some reasons why it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid dependability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant issues, such as that annoying buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you get next to a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? At times, they will squeal with feedback for no apparent reason. Your feedback will be greatly decreased with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids chiefly focused on correcting the volume. Hearing aids have much more technology and capability nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids connect to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has gone to digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more precise way. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features like numerous programs that can be customized to different listening environments.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a variety of strategies to reduce 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 minimize undesirable sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing function that lets them focus on specific voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by utilizing directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be useful in loud environments or when the user is attempting to hear someone who is speaking softly.
You have to switch out the batteries – a lot
Price is always a factor when it comes to upgrading your hearing aids. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need replacement frequently. The expenses will add up, especially if you have to switch out batteries daily or more.
Out-dated hearing aids break down and need to go to the shop for repair more often. If you think of 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 inexpensive.
You’re not able to hear at work
Research demonstrates that individuals with neglected hearing loss will earn less. Obviously, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You will hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have essential discussions 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. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most considerable benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a 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 unseen by others.
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. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Contact us for a consultation.