If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they may be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Hearing aid technology has advanced a great deal in the past few years! A decade ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll have to do in order to select the best ones for your needs. A hearing test to find out how your hearing has changed will be needed first. Your choices will start to be narrowed down after we establish your current degree of hearing loss. Here are a few reasons why it’s most likely time for an upgrade.
Hearing aid reliability
Every now and then you’ll get an annoying buzz or other problems 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 sound that seems to come out of nowhere, also. Your feedback will be significantly reduced with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume regulation was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Today, hearing aids are equipped with much better technology.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has become digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more precise way. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features like multiple programs that can be tailored to different listening environments.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use numerous strategies to minimize background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters decrease unwanted noises from all directions. When your hearing aid is not properly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be prevented by feedback cancellation.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to sync to other devices, like smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they choose to hear. The sound of the intended voice is picked up and amplified by directionally arranged microphones. Voice focus can be useful in loud environments or when the user is trying to hear somebody who is speaking softly.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aid, price is always a factor. The new technology isn’t inexpensive, but neither is wearing old, out-of-date hearing aids. Analog devices require new batteries frequently. The costs will add up, especially if you have to switch out batteries daily or more.
Out-of-date hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time getting repaired, also. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the concept. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t inexpensive.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research demonstrates that people with neglected hearing loss will have a lower income. Naturally, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what customers, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have important discussions without being concerned about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Of course, better communication means an enhanced quality of life, too. You don’t have to sit by yourself in the middle of conversations anymore. Dive in and connect with the people around you.
You’re looking for something more subtle
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most considerable benefits that come with updating old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. 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.
If you’re considering investing in new hearing aids, or if you’re already wearing them but you’re not happy with the results, consider upgrading to a newer model. The things that modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.