You know it’s time to upgrade your hearing aid if you’re still using one of those old-school ear trumpets. Making that call when you wear conventional hearing aids is more difficult, however, so how do you know? Your decade old hearing aids still work, right?
While it could be true that older hearing aids are better than nothing, chances are what little benefit you get from using them comes at a price. In the last several years, hearing aids have advanced significantly. It’s advanced from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are functions now that weren’t even invented 10 years ago. Why should you be thinking about an upgrade? Here are a few good reasons.
The Old Hearing Aid is Not That Reliable
Cheaper or older hearing aids often have an annoying buzzing noise. And it’s always a good time when you get close to a phone and your hearing aid begins to feedback. That loud feedback sometimes happens for no apparent reason. What caused it this time?
You’ve Gotten Complacent With Its Failings
You’ve become accustomed to wondering why the sound of traffic is so loud or to going off quietly while everybody else has interesting discussions. Remember that time when your hearing aid wouldn’t stop cutting out when you were trying to listen to your grandson sing a song and you could only hear parts of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
All of these are failings connected with outdated hearing aids. A decade ago the focus was on turning up the volume. Nowadays, unwelcome noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do many other truly amazing things.
Old Hearing Aids Are Wasting Money
Expenses are always an issue when it comes to an upgrade. You will need to make a preliminary investment with new hearing aids but old ones will also be expensive with time. You will be constantly buying new batteries when you have an analog hearing aid. You can understand how costly it will be, replacing batteries at least once every day.
Repair costs can also soar with out dated hearing aids. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you’ll get the point. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and repairs are not cheap.
Smart Technology is a Thing Now
Bluetooth connectivity is a newer technology that has revolutionized hearing aid capability. An analog hearing aid won’t have that feature. Having Bluetooth built into your digital hearing aid means that it’s compatible with your computer, your phone, maybe even your tv (unless they’re ten years old, as well.)
The Key to Everything is Communication
Studies reveal that hearing loss can lead to a lower paycheck. Doesn’t it seem sensible then that newer hearing aids would be a career asset? It will be easier to hear what customers and your boss are saying. You won’t have to worry about missing some key piece of information or if your hearing aid battery will quit when you need it most.
Needless to say, better communication means a better quality of life, as well. You don’t need to sit like a wallflower during discussions anymore. Don’t hesitate to get right in and engage with others.
You Really Want a More Stylish Looking Hearing Aid
When you look in the mirror at your old hearing aid, how do you feel? Clunky? Obvious? Does this make me look old? Versatility and style are some of the more considerable reasons to upgrade your hearing aid. You can buy hearing aids in lots of colors, shapes, and sizes today. 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 see why a hearing aid upgrade is necessary, so it’s time to find out what makes a hearing aid obsolete. The time has come and here are the indications:
- There are changes in your hearing. You don’t hear as good as you once did even with the hearing aid in your ear.
- Your life has changed, 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 perhaps you’ve changed jobs and now have to cope with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid keeps cutting out. You really can’t count on it functioning when you most need it.
- It’s clear that you have an analog hearing aid. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your hearing aid seems heavy. 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 replace the batteries. Modern hearing aids are more energy efficient, and many are rechargeable.
It’s an easy choice. It’s time to upgrade your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.