While it could be true that older hearing aids are better than no hearing aids, it’s likely that what little advantage you get from them may be costly. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made substantial progress. It’s changed from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features currently that weren’t even in the design phase 10 years ago.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to select the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to find out if your level of hearing loss has changed. Once you understand how much hearing loss you’re dealing with, you can start to get a clearer look at your choices. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Dependability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real issues, such as that irritating buzz you hear every once in a while. What about when you get near a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? In some cases, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Newer models compensate for common issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Nowadays, hearing aids are equipped with much better technology.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. This is because of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely reproduce sound. Additionally, many hearing aids now provide features such as multiple programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they choose to hear. This is done by utilizing directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then boost it. When somebody is speaking quietly or in a loud setting, voice focus can be very helpful.
- Background noise reduction: Feedback nullification, 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 minimize undesirable noises from all directions. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can take place when hearing aids are not fitted properly.
Frequent battery replacement
Price is always a factor with regard to a hearing aid upgrade. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will be too costly, but old outdated hearing aids can be costly as well. Analog devices need new batteries a lot. If you’re replacing the battery every day, 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 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’re not capable of hearing at work
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 worry about whether you will miss significant information or instructions.
And with better communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t have to sit by yourself during conversations anymore. Jump in and connect with the people around you.
You want a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, what comes to mind? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Flexibility and style are some of the most considerable reasons to replace those old hearing aids. Today’s hearing aids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one nestled into your ear so nobody will ever see it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
If you’re thinking about 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 modern technology has allowed hearing aids to do wasn’t even possible before. Get in touch with us for a consultation.