While it could be true that older hearing aids are better than no hearing aids, chances are what small benefit you get from them may be costly. Hearing aid technology has progressed a great deal in the past few years! It’s gone from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features today that weren’t even on the drawing board a decade ago.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do to choose the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing test to identify if your level of hearing loss has changed. Your options will begin to be narrowed down once we establish your present level of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Dependability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant issues, such as that irritating buzz you hear every now and then. And, how about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? At times, 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
Volume regulation was about the only function of hearing aids a decade ago. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and capability nowadays.
- Improved sound quality: Older hearing aid models had much lower quality of sound than modern-day models. Signal processing has become digital, which duplicates and amplifies sound in a more accurate way. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features including numerous programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also offer voice focus, which helps the wearer to focus on the voices they want to hear. This is accomplished by using directional microphones to pick up the sound of the desired voice and then amplify it. Voice focus can be useful in noisy settings or when the wearer is trying to hear someone who is talking softly.
- 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.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a number of strategies to reduce background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback cancellation. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters minimize unwanted noises from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t correctly fitted, a whistling sound can take place which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
Frequent battery replacing
Price is always a consideration in terms of upgrading your hearing aids. The new technology is not cheap, but neither is wearing 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 frequently than that, the expense adds up.
Old hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time getting repaired, too. Think of 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 are not inexpensive.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research reveals that individuals with neglected hearing loss will have a lower income. Naturally, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have a better time hearing what clients, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to be concerned about whether you’ll miss significant information or instructions.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You don’t have to sit by yourself during discussions anymore. Get right back into being socially engaged.
You want a smaller hearing aid
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Noticeable? OMG? Style and flexibility are some of the most significant reasons to replace those old hearing aids. Modern hearing aids come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. You could either get one in your favorite color and make a fashion statement or get one discrete enough that it will go unnoticed by others.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy with the results you’re getting from your old set. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Contact us for a consultation.