You know it’s time to upgrade your hearing aid if you’re walking around with one of those old-fashioned ear trumpets. Making that call when you wear conventional hearing aids is trickier, though, so how does one know? You bought your hearing aids 10 years ago, and they still get the job done, right?
It’s possible that you are better off using obsolete hearing aids than having none, what’s the real price? In the last few years, hearing aids have advanced significantly. It’s gone from analog to digital, for one thing, and there are features now that weren’t even in the design phase a decade ago. Think about some reasons why it’s time for you to be considering an upgrade.
The Old One Isn’t That Dependable
Lower quality 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 starts to feedback. At times that shrill feedback comes from nowhere, too. Now why is it feeding back?
You’ve Gotten Used to Its Failings
You’ve become accustomed to wondering why the sound of traffic is so noisy or to going off quietly while everyone else has engaging discussions. Do you remember when your hearing aid wouldn’t stop dropping out while you were trying to listen to your grandchild sing a song and you could only hear parts of what they were singing. But you still clapped.
All of these are drawbacks connected with outdated hearing aids. Ten years ago the focus was on turning up the volume. These days, hearing aids perform magic tricks like filtering out background noise, so no more noisy air conditioner.
Older Hearing Aids Will Cost You More Money
When you’re considering a hearing aid upgrade, expense is a major consideration. Newer tech is not cheap, but neither is using an old, obsolete hearing aid. You will be constantly buying new batteries with an analog hearing aid. You can understand how expensive it will be, buying new batteries at least once every day.
Repair costs can also be very high with older hearing aids. If you think of your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you’ll get the idea. It’s in the shop more than it’s in your ear and repairs are not cheap.
Smart Tech is a Thing Now
Most contemporary hearing aids have Bluetooth functionality. You won’t get that in an analog unit. Your tablet, phone, and even your computer can be connected, using Bluetooth, to your hearing digital aid.
The Secret to Everything is Communication
Studies show that hearing loss can mean a lower 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 won’t have to be concerned about missing some key information or if your hearing aid battery will die when you need it most.
And clearly 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 talking. Jump in and get involved with the people around you.
You Really Want a More Stylish Looking Hearing Aid
When you check out your old hearing aid in the mirror, what words come to mind? Clunky? Obvious? Does this make me look old? One of the most significant benefits that come with upgrading old hearing aids is design and flexibility. Modern hearing aids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can wear a visible one in your favorite color or an internal one hidden from sight inside your ear.
Clues That It’s Time
Now you see why a hearing aid upgrade is important, now it’s time to find out what makes a hearing aid obsolete. Here are a few telling indications that the time has come:
- There are changes in your hearing. Even when you have the hearing aids in, it seems as if you can’t hear as well.
- Your old hearing aid just can’t keep up with your evolving life. Whenever you need to talk on the phone, you have to take it out and background noise has become a real problem.
- Your hearing aid intermittently quits working. You just can’t count on it working when you most need it.
- It’s clear that you have an analog hearing aid. You should go digital as soon as possible.
- Your hearing aid seems heavy. Awkward, old technology weighs a lot.
- Your hearing aid is all you see when you look in a mirror. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was much larger.
- You constantly have to replace the batteries. Contemporary hearing aids are more energy efficient, and some come with rechargeable batteries.
It’s an easy choice. It’s time to upgrade your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.