You know it’s time to upgrade your hearing aid if you’re walking around with one of those old-fashioned ear trumpets. Coming to that realization when you wear conventional hearing aids is trickier, however, so how does one know? You bought your hearing aids ten years ago, and they still do the job, right?
While it might be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, it’s likely that what little advantage you get from them comes at a price. In the past several years, hearing aids have advanced significantly. Some of the features of contemporary hearing aids hadn’t even been invented a decade ago. For one thing, they’ve gone to digital from analog. Why should you be contemplating an upgrade? Here are some good reasons.
Your Old Hearing Aid is Not That Reliable
Lower quality or older hearing aids frequently have an irritating buzzing noise. What about that feedback any time you get near a phone, that’s a lot of fun. That deafening feedback sometimes occurs for no noticeable reason. Now why is this happening?
You’ve Become Used to Its Failings
You are used to sitting in quiet self-reflection while everyone around you engages in conversation or wondering why the air conditioner is so loud. Do you remember that time when your hearing aid wouldn’t stop dropping out when you were attempting to listen to your grandson perform a song and you could only hear some of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
Old hearing aids have all of these types of problems. Ten years ago the attention was on turning up the volume. These days, hearing aids perform magic tricks like filtering out background noise, so no more noisy air conditioner.
Old Hearing Aids Are Bleeding Money
When you’re thinking about a hearing aid upgrade, expense is a major consideration. You will have to make a preliminary purchase with new hearing aids but old ones will also be expensive with time. Analog hearing aids need new batteries frequently. You can understand how expensive it will be, replacing batteries at least once a day.
Out of date hearings aids can potentially need repair, also. If you think of your hearing aid like you think of a 1992 car you would get the point. Repairs are expensive and it’s always in the repair shop.
Nowadays, we Have Smart Technology
Most modern hearing aids come with Bluetooth functionality. An analog hearing aid won’t have that feature. Having Bluetooth built into your digital hearing aid means that it’s compatible with your phone, your computer, perhaps even your tv (unless they’re ten years old, as well.)
Communication is The Secret to Everything
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a lower paycheck. So it’s clear that it would be a benefit to your career if you had better hearing aids. You will hear your boss and customers better. You will be capable of following directions without wondering if you got it right and have critical conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
Of course, better communication means an improved quality of life, also. You don’t need to sit like a wallflower during conversations anymore. Don’t hesitate to get right in and connect with others.
You Really Want a Sleeker Looking Hearing Aid
What do you think when you check yourself out in the mirror wearing that old hearing aid? Awkward? Obvious? Oh my god? Flexibility and style are some of the most considerable reasons to update your hearing aid. You can buy hearing aids in many colors, sizes, and shapes these days. You can wear a visible one in your favorite color or an internal one hidden from sight inside your ear.
Signs That It’s Time
Now you understand all the reasons 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:
- Your hearing has changed. 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 changing life. It’s a pain to take it out just to talk on the phone, or maybe you got a new job and now have to deal with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid intermittently cuts out. You really can’t rely on it working when you need it most.
- You know for sure your hearing aid is analog. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your ears feel weighted down. Analog hearing aids weigh more.
- Your hearing aid is all you see when you look in a mirror. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was much bigger.
- You constantly have to switch out the batteries. Modern hearing aids are frequently rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It’s not brain surgery. If you’ve had your hearing aids for more than seven years, it’s time to trade up and hear better.