If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might 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 considerable advancements. Ten years ago many of the features of modern hearing aids weren’t even in development, going digital for instance.
When you determine it’s time to upgrade, choosing the right one will take a little planning. A hearing test to find out how your hearing has changed will be required first. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down once we identify your present degree of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid dependability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, such as that annoying buzz you hear every now and then. And, what about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no apparent reason. Your feedback will be significantly decreased with newer models which have features 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.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. Signal processing has become digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are set for specific situations.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want to hear. The sound of the intended voice is picked up and amplified by directionally arranged microphones. When someone is talking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be very helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use numerous techniques to reduce background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Noise filters decrease undesired sound 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 occur which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
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 too. Analog devices need new batteries frequently. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to switch out batteries daily or more.
Out-dated hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more frequently. If you think of 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 reveals that individuals with untreated 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 clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss critical information or guidelines.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t need to sit like a wallflower in the middle of discussions anymore. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You want something more discreet
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most considerable benefits that come with updating old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Today’s hearing aids come in a wide 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 undetected 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 contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Contact us today to talk about your options.