If you’re still wearing 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 substantial progress. It’s changed to digital from analog, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even on the drawing board 10 years ago.
When you determine it’s time to update, choosing the correct one will take a little preparation. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to determine if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your choices will start to be narrowed down when we determine your present degree of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Dependability of hearing aids
Every now and then you’ll get an irritating buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. How about when you go near a phone and your hearing aids start to feedback? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no evident reason. Newer designs compensate for prevalent issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much more advanced technology.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely duplicate sound. Modern hearing aids also often offer custom programs that are set for specific situations.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the wearer can use a voice focusing function that lets them focus on particular voices they want to hear. This is done by using directional microphones to detect the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. Voice focus can be useful in loud settings or when the user is attempting to hear someone who is talking softly.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback cancellation, noise filters, and directional microphones are some of the many strategies used by contemporary hearing aids. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters reduce undesirable sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid is not correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aid, cost is always a factor. The new technology isn’t inexpensive, but neither is using old, out-of-date hearing aids. Analog devices need new batteries frequently. If you are replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the cost adds up.
Out-dated hearing aids break down and need to go to the shop for repair more often. Consider what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that concept to hearing aids. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t inexpensive.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career asset? You’ll hear your boss and customers better. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you will miss critical information or instructions.
Of course, better communication means a better quality of life, as well. You don’t have to sit like a wallflower during conversations anymore. Dive in and engage with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most significant reasons to replace those outdated hearing aids. Modern hearing aids come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one tucked into your ear so nobody will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
If you’re considering getting new hearing aids, or if you already have them but you’re unhappy with the results, consider upgrading to a newer model. The things that modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Contact us today to talk about your options.