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. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made significant progress. Ten years 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 number of things you’ll have to do in order to choose the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to determine if your level of hearing loss has changed. Once you recognize how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can begin to get a clearer look at your choices. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid dependability
Every now and then you’ll get an annoying buzz or other problems with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, what about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Newer designs compensate for common problems so that you hear feedback less often.
Volume isn’t enough
A decade ago hearing aids primarily specialized in fixing the volume. Nowadays, hearing aids are equipped with much better technology.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had far lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has gone to digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are preset for specific situations.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature allows hearing aids to sync to other devices, including smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing feature that lets them 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. Voice focus can be helpful in noisy environments or when the wearer is trying to hear somebody who is speaking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many strategies utilized by contemporary hearing aids. Noise filters decrease undesired sound while directional microphones are made to focus on sound right in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to counter the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids aren’t properly fitted.
Frequent battery replacing
Cost is always a factor with regard to upgrading your hearing aids. You may think that updating your hearing aid will be too costly, but old antiquated hearing aids can be costly also. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need replacement frequently. The costs will add up, particularly if you have to switch out batteries every day or more.
Out-of-date hearing aids can potentially spend more time at the shop, also. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the concept. It’s in for repair more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not cheap.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a reduced income. Naturally, your career would benefit from wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You will follow directions without questioning if you got it right and have essential discussions without being concerned about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Jump in and connect with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most considerable benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one nestled into your ear so no one will ever see it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re not happy with the results you’re getting from your old pair. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Give us a call today to talk about your options.
