If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Within the last few years, hearing aid technology has made significant advancements. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features today that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago.
When you decide it’s time to update, choosing the right one will take a little preparation. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to find out if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Once you know how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can begin to narrow down your options. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Reliability of hearing aids
Every once in a while you’ll get an irritating buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, what about feedback anytime you get close to a phone? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to happen out of nowhere, too. Your feedback will be greatly reduced with newer models which have functions that compensate for common problems.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids mainly focused on correcting the volume. Hearing aids have much more technology and functionality nowadays.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many strategies used by modern hearing aids. Noise filters reduce undesired sound while directional microphones are designed to detect sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid isn’t properly fitted, a whistling sound can happen which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be useful in noisy settings or when the user is trying to hear somebody who is talking softly.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more accurately duplicate sound. Modern hearing aids also frequently feature custom programs that are preset for specific situations.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, like smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
Frequent battery replacement
Cost is always a factor in terms of a hearing aid upgrade. You might think that updating your hearing aid will be too expensive, but old outdated hearing aids can be expensive also. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need to be replaced frequently. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to switch out batteries daily or more.
Out-dated hearing aids break down and need to go to the shop for repair more frequently. Think of what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. It’s in for repair more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t cheap.
You’re not able to hear at work
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a lower income. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You’ll have a better 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 conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You’re looking for something more discreet
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most significant reasons to upgrade those outdated hearing aids. Today’s 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 unnoticed by others.
If you’re considering getting new hearing aids, or if you’re already wearing them but you’re unhappy 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.
