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. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made significant advancements. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even on the drawing board 10 years ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do in order to select the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to find out if your level of hearing loss has changed. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can start to narrow down your choices. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid reliability
Every once in a while you’ll get an irritating buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. What about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be significantly decreased with newer models which have features that compensate for common problems.
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 functionality nowadays.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use numerous strategies to decrease background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters decrease undesirable sounds from all directions. Feedback cancellation helps to counter the whistling sound that can take place when hearing aids are not properly fitted.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is accomplished by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be helpful in noisy settings or when the wearer is trying to hear somebody who is talking softly.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to sync to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely duplicate sound. Additionally, many hearing aids now provide features such as multiple programs that can be tailored to different listening situations.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aid, price is always a consideration. The new technology isn’t cheap, but neither is wearing old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices need new batteries a lot. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to switch out batteries daily or more.
Out-dated hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more frequently. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not inexpensive.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. Naturally, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You will follow instructions without wondering if you got it right and have important discussions without worrying 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 a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most compelling reasons to upgrade those outdated hearing aids. Quite a few styles, shapes, and sizes are available in contemporary hearing aids. You can have one tucked into your ear so no one 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 think about upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy 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. Contact us for a consultation.