If you still have an old-fashioned ear trumpet at hand than clearly, it’s time for an upgrade. Making that call when you wear conventional hearing aids is trickier, however, so how do you know? Your ten year old hearing aids still work, right?
It’s possible that you are better off having older hearing aids than not having one, what’s the real cost? Hearing aid tech has progressed in the last few years. Some of the features of contemporary hearing aids hadn’t even been designed a decade ago. For starters, they’ve advanced from analog to digital. Why should you be contemplating an upgrade? Here are a few good reasons.
Old Hearing Aids Are Not Very Reliable
Lower quality or older hearing aids frequently have an aggravating buzzing noise. And it’s always a great time when you get close to a phone and your hearing aid starts to feedback. Occasionally that high pitched feedback comes from nowhere, too. What caused it now?
You’ve Become Desensitized to its Low Quality
You’re used to going to a quiet place while everyone around you engages in conversation or questioning why the air conditioner is so loud. Do you remember that time when your hearing aid kept 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Outdated hearing aids have all of these kinds of issues. Ten years ago the emphasis was on raising the volume. Nowadays, unwelcome noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do lots of other truly amazing things.
Old Hearing Aids Are Bleeding Money
Expenses are always an issue when considering an upgrade. You will need to make an initial purchase with new hearing aids but older ones will also be costly over time. Analog hearing aids require new batteries frequently. You can understand how expensive it will be, replacing batteries at least once a day.
Repair costs can also escalate with older hearing aids. If you think of your hearing aid like a 1992 Buick, you get the point. Repairs are expensive and it’s always in the shop.
Nowadays, we Have Smart Technology
Bluetooth connectivity is a newer technology that has revolutionized hearing aid capability. An analog device won’t come with that feature. Having Bluetooth integrated into your digital hearing aid means it’s compatible with your phone, your computer, possibly even your television (unless they’re ten years old, as well.)
Communication is The Secret to Everything
Studies show that hearing loss can lead to a reduced paycheck. So it’s obvious that it would be an asset to your career if you had newer hearing aids. It will be easier to hear what customers and your boss are saying. You will be capable of following directions without wondering if you got it right and have essential interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
And obviously you will have an improved quality of life if you have strong communication skills. You won’t need to go sit alone when people are having conversations. Feel free to get right in and connect with others.
You Just Want Your Hearing Aid to be Cooler
How do you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror with that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? Does this make me look old? Versatility 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 now. You can wear a visible one in your favorite color or an internal one tucked invisibly inside your ear.
Indications That It’s Time
Now you recognize why a hearing aid upgrade is necessary, so now it’s time to learn what makes a hearing aid outdated. Here are some telling indications that the time has come:
- There are changes in your hearing. Even when you have the hearing aids in, it seems like you can’t hear as well.
- Your life has evolved, and your hearing aid has a hard time keeping up. It’s a chore to take it out just to talk on the phone, or maybe you’ve changed jobs and now have to cope with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid randomly quits working. You really can’t rely on it functioning when you most need it.
- It’s obvious that you have an analog hearing aid. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your hearing aid is heavy. Analog hearing aids weigh more.
- Your hearing aid juts out like a sore thumb. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was a lot bigger.
- You are replacing the batteries constantly. Contemporary hearing aids are often rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It isn’t brain surgery. If you’ve had your hearing aids for seven years or more, it’s time to trade up and hear better.