If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they may 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 progress. It’s gone to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll have to do in order to select the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to identify if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your options will start to be narrowed down after we establish your current level of hearing loss. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid reliability
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant issues, like that irritating buzz you hear every now and then. What about when you get next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no evident reason. Newer models compensate for prevalent problems so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids chiefly focused on fixing the volume. Nowadays, hearing aids are loaded with much more advanced technology.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much higher sound quality than older models. Signal processing has become digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. In addition, many hearing aids now offer features such as numerous programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are a few of the many techniques utilized by modern hearing aids. Noise filters decrease unwanted noise while directional microphones are made to detect sound directly in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. This can be helpful for streaming music or making phone calls.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing function that allows them to focus on specific voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by utilizing directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. When somebody is speaking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be quite helpful.
Frequent battery replacing
Cost is always a factor when it comes to a hearing aid upgrade. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need replacement a lot. The costs will add up, particularly if you have 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 reveals that individuals with untreated hearing loss will earn less. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You will hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow directions without wondering if you got it right and have important discussions without being concerned about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Clearly, stronger communication means an enhanced quality of life, also. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Dive in and engage with the people around you.
You want something more discreet
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what comes to mind? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids are flexibility and style. Modern 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 small 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. Get in touch with us for a consultation.
