While it might be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, it’s likely that what little benefit you get from them comes at a cost. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made considerable developments. A decade ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even in development, going digital for instance.
When you determine it’s time to update, choosing the correct one will take some preparation. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to determine if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your options will start to be narrowed down once we establish your current degree of hearing loss. Here are some reasons why it’s most likely time to upgrade.
Reliability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real issues, like that annoying buzz you hear every once in a while. And, how about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no distinct reason. Your feedback will be greatly decreased with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Hearing aids have much more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to sync to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing feature that lets them focus on specific voices they want to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. When somebody is talking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be really helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a number of techniques to decrease background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Noise filters minimize undesired noise while directional microphones are made to detect sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day 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.
Frequent battery replacing
Price is always a consideration when it comes to upgrading your hearing aids. You might think that updating your hearing aid will cost too much, but old antiquated hearing aids can be costly also. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. If you are replacing the battery every day, or even more frequently than that, the expense adds up.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time at the shop, also. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the concept. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research demonstrates that people with untreated hearing loss will earn less. Naturally, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You will hear your boss and customers clearer. You won’t have to worry about whether you will miss critical information or instructions.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages 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 see it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
If you’re thinking about getting new hearing aids, or if you’re already wearing them but you’re not happy with the results, think about upgrading to a newer model. Technology has come a long way in the last several years, and there are now hearing aids available that can do things that were impossible in the past. Give us a call today to discuss your options.
