While it may be true that older hearing aids are better than no hearing aids, chances are what little advantage you get from them may be costly. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made substantial developments. It’s changed to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll have to do in order to choose the best ones for your needs. A hearing test to ascertain how your hearing has changed will be required first. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can begin to get a clearer look at your choices. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Reliability of hearing aids
Every once in a while you’ll get an aggravating buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. What about when you go next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to happen out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be greatly decreased with newer models which have features that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids chiefly focused on fixing the volume. Hearing aids have much more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids connect to other devices, like smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are a few of the many methods used by contemporary hearing aids. Noise filters minimize undesired sound while directional microphones are designed to detect sound right in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately reproduce sound. In addition, many hearing aids now provide features like multiple programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing function 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. When someone is talking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be really helpful.
You have to change the batteries – a lot
When we’re thinking about a hearing aid upgrade, cost is always a consideration. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will cost too much, but old antiquated hearing aids can be costly as well. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you are replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the cost adds up.
Old hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time at the shop, too. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. The costs of the constant repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not able to hear at work
Research reveals that people 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 clearer. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have important discussions without being concerned about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
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 connected.
You want something more subtle
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most significant benefits that come with updating old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. 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 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 set. The things that modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Contact us today to discuss your options.