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, making that call is more challenging. You purchased your hearing aids a decade ago, and they still get the job done, right?
While it could 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 price. Hearing aid tech has progressed in the last few years. Some of the functions of modern hearing aids hadn’t even been invented 10 years ago. For starters, they’ve gone to digital from analog. Why should you be contemplating an upgrade? Here are some good reasons.
Your Old Hearing Aid Isn’t That Dependable
Lower quality or older hearing aids frequently have an aggravating buzzing sound. And it’s always a good time when you get near a phone and your hearing aid begins to feedback. At times that high pitched feedback comes from nowhere, too. Now why is this happening?
You’ve Gotten Complacent With Its Failings
You’re used to going to a quiet place while everybody around you participates in conversation or wondering why the air conditioning unit is so loud. Don’t forget the time your grandchild sang you a great song she learned at school, but you could only hear every other word because your hearing aids kept going out. You still clapped, though.
All of these are drawbacks connected with outdated hearing aids. A decade ago the emphasis was on turning up the volume. Nowadays, unwelcome noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do many other really awesome things.
Older Hearing Aids Can be Expensive
When you’re thinking about a hearing aid upgrade, cost is a major consideration. You will have to make an initial investment with new hearing aids but older ones will also be expensive with time. You will be continually replacing batteries with an analog hearing aid. You can understand how costly it will be, buying new batteries at least once a day.
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. Repairs are expensive and it’s always in the repair shop.
Nowadays, we Have Smart Technology
Many modern hearing aids have Bluetooth capabilities. You won’t find that in an analog unit. Having Bluetooth built into your digital hearing aid means that it connects to your computer, your phone, possibly even your tv (unless they’re a decade old, too.)
The Secret to Everything is Communication
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a reduced paycheck. So it’s clear that it would be a benefit to your career if you had better hearing aids. You will be able to hear your boss and customers better. You will be capable of following directions without being concerned whether you got it right and have important interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
And obviously you will have a better quality of life if you have good communication skills. You don’t need to sit like a wallflower during conversations anymore. Feel free to get right in and engage with others.
You Only Want Your Hearing Aid to be Cooler
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, how do you feel? Awkward? Totally obvious? Oh my god? One of the most considerable advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids is design and versatility. Contemporary hearing aids come in various colors, sizes, and shapes. You can have one concealed so tight in your ear that no one will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
How to Know When it’s Time For an Upgrade
Now you understand all the reasons why you should want a hearing aid upgrade, but not what you should specifically look for that says your device is at risk of being called an antique. Here are a few telling indications that the time has come:
- 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 chore to take it out just to use the phone, or perhaps you’ve changed jobs and now have to deal with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid keeps cutting out. It’s just not dependable anymore, and that’s a problem.
- You know for sure your hearing aid is analog. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your ears feel heavy. Analog hearing aids weigh a lot.
- Your hearing aid is all you see when you look in a mirror. That obsolete technology occupies a lot of space, as well.
- You need to replace the batteries every day. Modern hearing aids are more energy efficient, and some come with rechargeable batteries.
It’s not rocket science. If you’ve had your hearing aids for seven years or more, it’s time to upgrade and hear better.