If you’re still using your older hearing aids, they may be better than no hearing aids, but they also may be costing you in some ways. Within the past few years, hearing aid technology has made substantial developments. Ten years ago many of the features of current hearing aids weren’t even on the drawing board, going digital for instance.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aids, there are a number of things you’ll need to do in order to choose the best ones for your needs. First, you’ll have to get a hearing aid discovery test to identify if your level of hearing loss has changed. Your options will start to be narrowed down after we establish your present level of hearing loss. It’s probably time for an upgrade for the following reasons.
Reliability of hearing aids
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have significant problems, like that aggravating buzz you hear every now and then. How about when you get next to a phone and your hearing aids begin to feedback? Occasionally, there’s a shrill feedback noise that seems to happen out of nowhere, also. Newer models compensate for common problems so that you hear feedback less often.
Volume isn’t enough
Volume control was about the only function of hearing aids ten years ago. Today, hearing aids are loaded with much more advanced technology.
- Improved sound quality: Today’s hearing aids offer much higher sound quality than older models. This is the result of advances in digital signal processing, which allows hearing aids to more precisely reproduce sound. In addition, many hearing aids now offer features like numerous programs that can be customized to different listening environments.
- Bluetooth capability: Tvs, cellphones, and other equipped devices can now be synced to your hearing aid. Making phone calls or listening to music becomes simple with this.
- Background noise reduction: Modern hearing aids use a number of techniques to decrease background noise, and that includes directional microphones, noise filters, and feedback nullification. Directional microphones center on the sound coming from the front of the wearer, while noise filters reduce unwanted noises from all directions. Feedback cancellation helps to prevent the whistling sound that can take place when hearing aids are not fitted properly.
- Voice focus: With some newer models the user can use a voice focusing function that lets them focus on particular voices they want to hear. The sound of the desired voice is picked up and boosted by directionally arranged microphones. When someone is speaking quietly or in a noisy setting, voice focus can be really helpful.
You have to change the batteries – frequently
When we’re talking about a hearing aid upgrade, price is always a factor. You may think that upgrading your hearing aid will be too expensive, but old outdated hearing aids can be expensive as well. The batteries in analog devices die and need to be replaced frequently. If you’re replacing the battery every day, or even more often than that, the expense adds up.
Out-of-date hearing aids can oftentimes spend more time at the shop, too. If you view your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the idea. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and the repairs are not cheap.
You can’t hear your coworkers
Research has shown that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. Obviously, your career would benefit from 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 instructions.
And with stronger communication, you will have a better quality of life. You’ll be capable of communicating with people again. Get right back into being socially connected.
You’re looking for something more subtle
What do you think about when you look in the mirror and see that outdated hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? OMG? Some of the most significant advantages that come with updating old hearing aids are flexibility and style. A number of shapes, styles, and sizes are available in modern hearing aids. 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 investing in new hearing aids, or if you already have them but you’re not happy with the results, think about upgrading to a newer model. The things that contemporary technology has allowed hearing aids to do was never possible before. Give us a call today to discuss your options.