While it may be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, chances are what small benefit you get from them comes at a cost. Hearing aid technology has progressed a great deal in the last few years! It’s changed from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even on the drawing board 10 years ago.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to pick the best ones for your needs. A hearing test to establish how your hearing has changed will be necessary first. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down once we identify your present degree of hearing loss. Here are some reasons why it’s probably time to upgrade.
Dependability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real issues, like that annoying buzz you hear every once in a while. And, how about feedback anytime you get close to a phone? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Newer designs compensate for common problems so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids chiefly specialized in correcting the volume. Today, hearing aids are equipped with much more advanced technology.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want 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 noisy setting, voice focus can be really helpful.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has gone to digital, which reproduces and amplifies sound in a more precise way. Modern hearing aids also frequently offer custom programs that are set for specific settings.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a variety of strategies to decrease background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Noise filters minimize undesired sound while directional microphones are designed to detect sound directly in front of you. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be eliminated by feedback cancellation.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids connect to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. This can be useful for streaming music or making phone calls.
You have to replace the batteries – a lot
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a factor. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices need new batteries frequently. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more often than that, the expense adds up.
Old hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time getting repaired, too. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the concept. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs aren’t inexpensive.
You’re not able to hear at work
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a lower paycheck. Obviously, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll hear your boss and customers clearer. You won’t have to worry about whether you will miss significant information or guidelines.
Of course, stronger communication means a better quality of life, also. 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 a smaller hearing aid
When you look in the mirror at your outdated hearing aid, what words come to mind? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most compelling advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids are style and flexibility. Today’s hearing aids come in a 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. Give us a call today to talk about your options.