While it might be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, it’s likely that what little advantage you get from them may be costly. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made substantial developments. Ten years ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
When you determine it’s time to update, choosing the right one will take some planning. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to determine if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down after we identify your current level of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s probably time for an 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. And, how about feedback anytime you get close to a phone? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Your feedback will be significantly diminished 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.
- 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 reproduce sound. Modern hearing aids also often feature custom programs that are set for specific settings.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to connect to other devices, like smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a variety of techniques to reduce background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Noise filters decrease unwanted noise while directional microphones are made to focus on sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid isn’t properly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be helpful in loud settings or when the wearer is trying to hear someone who is talking softly.
You have to switch out the batteries – frequently
When we’re talking about upgrading your hearing aid, price is always a factor. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will cost too much, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly too. Analog devices require new batteries a lot. The costs will add up, especially if you need to replace batteries every day or more.
Old hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time at the shop, too. Think of what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that concept to hearing aids. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a lower income. Obviously, 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 directions without questioning if you got it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Of course, stronger communication means a better quality of life, also. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Get right back into being socially connected.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most considerable reasons to upgrade those outdated hearing aids. Quite a few styles, shapes, and sizes are available in contemporary 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 unobserved 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. Call us today to discuss your options.