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 significant developments. A decade ago many of the features of modern hearing aids weren’t even in development, going digital for instance.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll have to do in order to pick the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to find out if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your options will start to be narrowed down after we determine your present level of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time to upgrade.
Dependability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, like that annoying buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? At times, they will squeal with feedback for no apparent reason. Your feedback will be greatly diminished with newer models which have features that compensate for common issues.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids primarily focused on correcting the volume. Today, hearing aids are equipped with much better technology.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing feature that allows them to focus on specific voices they want to hear. The sound of the intended voice is detected and amplified by directionally set microphones. When somebody is speaking quietly or in a loud setting, voice focus can be very helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a variety of strategies to reduce background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Noise filters decrease undesired noise while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound right in front of you. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much higher sound quality than older models. Signal processing has become digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. Additionally, many hearing aids now provide features including numerous programs that can be tailored to different listening situations.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
Frequent battery replacing
Price is always a factor when it comes to a hearing aid upgrade. You may think that updating your hearing aid will be too expensive, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly too. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to replace batteries every day or more.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more often. Consider what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t cheap.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research reveals that people with neglected hearing loss will earn less. Doesn’t it seem sensible then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss critical information or instructions.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t have to sit by yourself during conversations anymore. 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? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most compelling benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids are flexibility and style. Quite a few shapes, styles, and sizes are available in contemporary hearing aids. You can have one nestled into your ear so no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
If you’re considering investing in 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. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Contact us for a consultation.
