You know it’s time to upgrade your hearing aid if you’re walking around with one of those old-school ear trumpets. Making that call when you have conventional hearing aids is more difficult, however, so how do you know? Your decade old hearing aids still work, right?
While it might 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 few years, hearing aids have dramatically advanced. Some of the functions of modern hearing aids hadn’t even been designed a decade ago. For one thing, they’ve gone from analog to digital. Think about some reasons why you should be thinking about an upgrade.
The Old One Isn’t That Reliable
Outdated or even low-quality hearing aids have real problems like that aggravating buzz you hear every once in a while. What about that feedback every time you get near a phone, that’s enjoyable. Sometimes that shrill feedback comes out of nowhere, too. What caused it this time?
You’ve Become Complacent With Its Failings
You are used to sitting in quiet self-reflection while everybody around you take part in conversation or wondering why the air conditioning unit is so loud. Remember when your hearing aid wouldn’t stop cutting out while you were attempting to hear your grandson perform a song and you could only hear some of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
Outdated hearing aids have all of these types of problems. Turning up the volume was the main objective in hearing aids ten years ago. Today, hearing aids perform magic tricks like filtering out background noise, so say goodbye to the air conditioner.
Outdated Hearing Aids Will Cost You More Money
When you’re thinking about 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 The new tech is not cheap, but neither is wearing an old, out-of-date hearing aid. Analog hearing aids require new batteries frequently. You can imagine how expensive it will be, buying new batteries at least once a day.
Repair costs can also escalate with out dated hearing aids. If you picture your hearing aid like a 1992 Buick, you’ll get the point. It’s in the repair shop more than it’s in your ear and repairs expensive.
Smart Technology is a Thing Now
Most contemporary hearing aids come with Bluetooth capabilities. You won’t get that in an analog unit. Your phone, tablet, and even your computer can be connected, via Bluetooth, to your hearing digital aid.
The Key to Everything is Communication
Studies reveal that hearing loss can mean a lower paycheck. Doesn’t it seem sensible then that newer hearing aids would be a career asset? You will be able to hear your boss and customers better. You will follow directions without being concerned whether you heard it right and have essential interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And obviously you will have an improved quality of life if you have good communication skills. You won’t need to go sit alone while people are talking. Jump in and engage with the people around you.
You Really Want a More Stylish Looking Hearing Aid
How do you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror wearing that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? Oh my god? One of the most considerable perks that come with upgrading old hearing aids is design and flexibility. Contemporary hearing aids come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. You can have one tucked so tight in your ear that nobody will even notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
How to Recognize When it’s Time For an Upgrade
Now you know all the reasons why you should want a hearing aid upgrade, but not what you should specifically look for that says your device may end up being called an antique. The time has come and here are the signs:
- There are changes in your hearing. You don’t hear as well as you used to even with the hearing aid in place.
- Your outdated hearing aid just can’t keep up with your evolving life. Whenever you have to talk on the phone, you have to take it out and background noise has become a real challenge.
- Your hearing aid intermittently cuts out. It’s simply not dependable anymore, and that’s a problem.
- You know for a fact your hearing aid is analog. Ouch, go digital right away.
- Your hearing aid feels heavy. Clunky, old technology weighs a lot.
- Your hearing aid is the only thing you see when you look in a mirror. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was a lot larger.
- You are replacing the batteries every day. Contemporary hearing aids are frequently rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It’s not rocket science. It’s time to upgrade your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.