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. Hearing aid technology has advanced a lot in the last few years! Ten years ago many of the features of modern hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
If you’re considering upgrading your hearing aids, there are a few things you’ll need to do to select the right ones for your needs. A hearing exam to determine how your hearing has changed will be required first. Your choices will begin to be narrowed down once we identify your present degree of hearing loss. It’s most likely time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Hearing aid dependability
Every now and then you’ll get an irritating buzz or other issues with older or low-quality hearing aids. And, what about feedback whenever you get close to a phone? Sometimes, there’s a shrill feedback sound that seems to come out of nowhere, too. Newer designs compensate for prevalent problems so that you hear feedback less frequently.
Volume isn’t enough
Ten years ago hearing aids primarily specialized in correcting the volume. Hearing aids have a lot more technology and capability nowadays.
- 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 boosted by directionally set microphones. Voice focus can be helpful in loud settings or when the user is attempting to hear somebody who is talking softly.
- 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 accurately duplicate sound. Modern hearing aids also frequently feature custom programs that are set for specific situations.
- Bluetooth capability: This feature lets hearing aids sync to other devices, such as smartphones, TVs, and other smart devices. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes easy with this.
- Background noise reduction: Contemporary hearing aids use a number of strategies to decrease background noise, including directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Noise filters minimize undesired sound while directional microphones are designed to focus on sound directly in front of you. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can manifest when hearing aids aren’t fitted properly.
Frequent battery replacing
Price is always a consideration in terms of upgrading your hearing aids. The new technology is not inexpensive, but neither is using old, outdated hearing aids. The batteries in analog devices go dead and need replacement a lot. If you’re replacing the battery on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the expense 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 are not inexpensive.
You’re not capable of hearing at work
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a reduced income. Doesn’t it make sense then, that better hearing aids would be a career advantage? You will hear your boss and customers clearer. You won’t have to worry about whether you will miss critical information or instructions.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be able to communicate with people again. Jump in and connect with the people around you.
You want something more discreet
What do you think when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Clunky? Noticeable? OMG? Some of the most compelling benefits that come with updating 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 no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in a color you love.
It’s time to consider 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. Get in touch with us for a consultation.