If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might 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 progress. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even on the drawing board a decade ago.
When you decide it’s time to upgrade, choosing the correct one will take a little preparation. A hearing exam to determine how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Your options will begin to be narrowed down once we establish your present level of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time to upgrade.
Hearing aid reliability
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 next to a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be greatly decreased with newer models which have functions that compensate for common issues.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids chiefly focused on correcting the volume. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. When somebody is talking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be quite helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a variety of techniques to reduce background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Noise filters reduce unwanted noise while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound directly in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to counter the whistling sound that can occur when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much higher sound quality than older models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely duplicate sound. Modern hearing aids also often offer custom programs that are preset for specific settings.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids connect to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re talking about upgrading your hearing aid, cost is always a factor. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. Analog devices need new batteries a lot. The costs will add up, especially if you need to replace batteries every day or more.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time at the shop, too. Think of what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not cheap.
You’re not able to hear at work
Research has shown that hearing loss can lead to a reduced paycheck. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss important information or instructions.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Get right back into being socially engaged.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most considerable advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Quite a few shapes, styles, and sizes are available in contemporary 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.
If you’re considering getting new hearing aids, or if you’re already wearing them but you’re unhappy with the results, consider upgrading to a newer model. Technology has come a long way in the last few years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were never possible in the past. Contact us for a consultation.
