You know it’s time to replace your hearing aid if you’re still using one of those old-school ear trumpets. When you use conventional hearing aids, coming to that realization is more tricky. You got your hearing aids ten years ago, and they still do the job, right?
While it may be true that older hearing aids are better than no hearing aids, it’s likely that what little advantage you get from using them comes at a cost. In the last several years, hearing aids have advanced dramatically. It’s gone from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are functions now that weren’t even in the design phase 10 years ago. Why should you be thinking about an upgrade? Here are a few good reasons.
Old Hearing Aids Are Not Very Reliable
Outdated or even low-quality hearing aids have serious issues like that aggravating buzz you hear every now and then. How about that feedback every time you get close to a phone, that’s enjoyable. That deafening feedback occasionally happens for no apparent reason. What caused it now?
You’ve Become Complacent With Its Failings
You are used to going to a quiet place while everybody around you take part in conversation or wondering why the air conditioning unit is so noisy. Remember that time when your hearing aid kept cutting out when you were attempting to listen to your grandson sing a song and you could only hear parts of what they were singing. But you still clapped.
Outdated hearing aids have all of these kinds of problems. A decade ago the focus was on raising the volume. Now, unwelcome noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do many other really amazing things.
Old Hearing Aids Are Wasting Money
When you’re considering upgrading your hearing aid, expense is a big factor. The new tech is not cheap, but neither is wearing an old, out-of-date hearing aid. You will be constantly replacing batteries when you have an analog hearing aid. If you are replacing the batteries on a daily basis, or even more than once a day, the costs can get very high.
Repair costs can also be very high with older hearing aids. If you think of your hearing aid like you think of a 1992 car you would get the point. It’s in the repair shop more than it is in your ear and repairs expensive.
Smart Technology is a Thing Now
Bluetooth capability is a newer technology which has transformed hearing aid capability. You won’t get that in an analog device. Having Bluetooth integrated into your digital hearing aid means that it’s compatible with your computer, your phone, possibly even your television (unless they’re a decade old, too.)
Communication is The Key to Everything
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a reduced paycheck. Doesn’t it seem sensible then that better hearing aids would be a career asset? You will hear customers and your boss better. You will be capable of following directions without wondering if you got it right and have important discussions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
Obviously, better communication means an improved quality of life, also. You won’t have to go sit by yourself while people are having conversations. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You Really Want a More Stylish Looking Hearing Aid
When you check out your old hearing aid in the mirror, how do you feel? Clunky? Obvious? Oh my god? Flexibility and style are some of the most significant reasons to update your hearing aid. Today’s hearing aids come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. You can have one hidden so tightly into your ear that no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with an out of the ear hearing aid in your favorite color.
Signs That It’s Time
Now you recognize why a hearing aid upgrade is worthwhile, so it’s time to determine what makes a hearing aid obsolete. The time has come and here are the signs:
- There are changes in your hearing. Even when you have the hearing aids in, it seems like you can’t hear as well.
- Your old hearing aid just can’t keep up with your changing life. Every time you have to talk on the phone, you have to remove it and background noise has become a big problem.
- Your hearing aid keeps quitting. You really can’t count on it functioning when you need it most.
- You know for a fact your hearing aid is analog. You should go digital as soon as you can.
- Your hearing aid feels heavy. Awkward, old technology weighs more.
- Your hearing aid juts out like a sore thumb. Back when that old hearing aid was made, technology was a lot bigger.
- You need to replace the batteries constantly. Modern hearing aids are more energy efficient, and many come with rechargeable batteries.
It’s not brain surgery. If you’ve had your hearing aids for seven years or more, it’s time to upgrade and hear better.
