You know it’s time to replace 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 do you know? Your ten year old hearing aids still function, right?
It’s possible that you are better off using older hearing aids than not having one, what’s the real price? In the past several years, hearing aids have advanced significantly. It’s gone from analog to digital, to begin with, and there are functions now that weren’t even invented 10 years ago. Start thinking about some reasons why it’s time for you to be considering an upgrade.
Old Hearing Aids Are Not Very Reliable
Cheaper or older hearing aids often have an annoying buzzing sound. And it’s always a fun time when you get near a phone and your hearing aid starts to feedback. Occasionally that high pitched feedback comes out of nowhere, too. What caused it this time?
You’ve Become Complacent With Its Failings
You are used to going to a quiet place while everyone around you participates in conversation or questioning why the air conditioning unit is so loud. Remember that time when your hearing aid kept dropping out when you were attempting to listen to your grandchild sing a song and you could only hear parts of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
All of these are failings linked to old hearing aids. Raising the volume was the primary goal in hearing aids a decade ago. These days, hearing aids do magic tricks like filtering out background noise, so say goodbye to the air conditioner.
The Old Ones Are Wasting Money
When you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aid, expense is a major consideration. You will have to make an initial investment with new hearing aids but old ones will also be costly with time. Analog devices need new batteries frequently. If you are purchasing new batteries on a daily basis, or even more than once a day, the costs can get very high.
Repair costs can also soar with older hearing aids. If you picture your hearing aid like a 1992 Buick, you’ll get the point. Repairs are expensive and it’s constantly in the repair shop.
Today, we Have Smart Tech
Bluetooth capability is a newer technology that has revolutionized hearing aid capability. An analog hearing aid won’t have that feature. Your phone, tablet, and even your computer can be connected, using Bluetooth, to your hearing digital aid.
Communication is The Key to Everything
It has been shown by research, that you may earn less money if you have hearing loss. So it’s clear that it would be an asset to your career if you had better hearing aids. It will be easier to hear what your boss and customers are saying. You will be capable of following directions without being concerned whether you heard it right and have essential interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Of course, stronger communication means an improved quality of life, also. You won’t need to go sit by yourself while people are talking. Don’t hesitate to get right in and connect with others.
You Only Want Your Hearing Aid to be More Stylish
What do you think when you check yourself out in the mirror wearing that old hearing aid? Clunky? Totally obvious? Does this make me look old? Flexibility and style are some of the more significant reasons to replace your hearing aid. Today’s hearing aids come in a number of colors, sizes, and shapes. You can wear a visible one in your favorite color or a discrete one tucked invisibly inside your ear.
How to Know When it’s Time For an Upgrade
Now you know all the reasons you should want a hearing aid upgrade, but not what to specifically look for that says your device may end up being called an antique. The time has come and here are the indications:
- There are changes in your hearing. You don’t hear as well as you once did even with the hearing aid in.
- Your outdated hearing aid just can’t keep up with your changing life. It’s annoying to take it out just to use the phone, or maybe you’ve changed jobs and now have to deal with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid randomly cuts out. You just can’t rely on it functioning when you need it most.
- You know for a fact that your hearing aid is analog. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your hearing aid feels heavy. Analog hearing aids weigh more.
- Your hearing aid sticks out like a sore thumb. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was a lot bigger.
- You are replacing the batteries every day. Contemporary hearing aids are often 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 upgrade and hear better.