If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they may 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 developments. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even in the design phase 10 years 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 needed first. Your options will start to be narrowed down after we identify your present level of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid dependability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real issues, like that annoying buzz you hear every once in a while. How about when you go next to a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to come out of nowhere, also. Your feedback will be considerably reduced 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. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much better technology.
- 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.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a number of techniques to decrease 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 decrease undesirable noises from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be eliminated by feedback nullification.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much better sound quality than older models. Signal processing has become digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are preset for specific environments.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing function that lets them focus on particular voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by utilizing directional microphones to detect 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.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re talking about upgrading your hearing aid, cost is always a consideration. You might think that upgrading your hearing aid will be too expensive, but old outdated hearing aids can be expensive also. Analog devices require new batteries a lot. The costs will add up, especially if you need to replace batteries daily or more.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more often. Think of what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that concept to hearing aids. The costs of the constant repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research reveals that individuals with untreated hearing loss will have a lower income. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career asset? You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You won’t have to worry about whether you will miss significant information or instructions.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t need to sit by yourself in the middle of conversations anymore. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids are flexibility and style. Quite a few shapes, styles, and sizes are available in modern hearing aids. You could either get one in your favorite color and make a fashion statement or get one discrete enough that it will go undetected 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 set. The things that modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Give us a call today to discuss your options.