If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made considerable developments. Ten years 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 few things you’ll have to do in order to choose the right ones for your needs. A hearing exam to determine how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down when we establish your present degree of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s probably time to upgrade.
Reliability of hearing aids
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 get near a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? At times, they will squeal with feedback for no distinct reason. Newer models compensate for prevalent issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and capability nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much better sound quality than older models. Signal processing has gone to digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more precise way. Additionally, many hearing aids now provide features such as 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 pick up the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be useful in noisy environments or when the user is attempting to hear someone who is talking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use numerous strategies to minimize background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Noise filters reduce unwanted noise while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound right in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids are not fitted properly.
You have to change the batteries – a lot
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, cost is always a factor. The new technology isn’t cheap, but neither is using old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to replace batteries every day or more.
Old 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 concept. The costs of the constant repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research demonstrates that individuals with untreated hearing loss will earn less. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career asset? You’ll have a better time hearing what clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
Of course, stronger communication means an enhanced quality of life, too. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Dive in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what words come to mind? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to replace those old hearing aids. A number of styles, shapes, and sizes are available in contemporary hearing aids. You can have one nestled into your ear so nobody will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re not happy with the results you’re getting from your old set. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Give us a call today to discuss your options.