If you’re still wearing your older hearing aids, they might be better than no hearing aids, but they also could be costing you in some ways. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made significant advancements. It’s gone from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll have to do to pick the right ones for your needs. First, you’ll need to have a hearing test to find out if your degree of hearing loss has changed. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down after we identify your present degree of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Reliability of hearing aids
Every now and then you’ll get an aggravating buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, what about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? Frequently, they will squeal with feedback for no apparent reason. Newer models compensate for prevalent issues so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids primarily specialized in correcting the volume. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much better technology.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other enabled devices can now be connected to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a number of techniques to minimize background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Directional microphones focus on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters reduce unwanted sounds from all directions. When your hearing aid isn’t properly fitted, a whistling sound can occur which will be prevented by feedback nullification.
- Voice focus: Some hearing aids also provide voice focus, which helps the user to focus on the voices they want to hear. The sound of the intended voice is detected and amplified by directionally set microphones. Voice focus can be useful in noisy settings or when the user is attempting to hear somebody who is talking softly.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids provide much higher sound quality than older models. This is due to advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely reproduce sound. Additionally, many hearing aids now offer features like numerous programs that can be customized to different listening situations.
Frequent battery replacing
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a consideration. The new technology isn’t cheap, but neither is using old, outdated hearing aids. Analog devices need new batteries a lot. The expenses will add up, particularly if you need to replace batteries every day or more.
Old hearing aids malfunction and need to go to the shop for repair more often. Consider what a 1990 Chevy would be like and apply that idea to hearing aids. The costs of the continual repairs can get quickly out of hand.
You’re not able to hear at work
Research reveals that people with untreated hearing loss will earn less. Naturally, your career would be improved by wearing better hearing aids. You’ll have an easier time hearing what customers, coworkers, and your boss are saying to you. You won’t have to worry about whether you’ll miss critical information or guidelines.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Get right back into being socially engaged.
You want something more discreet
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that old hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most significant advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids are flexibility and style. Today’s hearing aids come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one tucked 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.
It’s time to consider upgrading your hearing aids if you’re unhappy 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. Call us today to talk about your options.