If you are walking around with an old-fashioned ear trumpet in hand than clearly, it’s time to upgrade. When you wear conventional hearing aids, making that call is more challenging. You bought your hearing aids a decade ago, and they still do the job, right?
It’s possible that you are better off using obsolete hearing aids than having none, what’s the real cost? Hearing aid technology has progressed in the last several years. It’s advanced from analog to digital, to begin with, and there are features now that weren’t even invented 10 years ago. Start thinking about some reasons why it’s time for you to be thinking about an upgrade.
The Old One Isn’t That Reliable
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real problems like that annoying buzz you hear every now and then. And it’s always a good time when you get near a phone and your hearing aid starts to feedback. At times that shrill feedback comes out of nowhere, too. What caused it this time?
You’ve Become Desensitized to its Poor Quality
You’re now used to wondering why the sound of traffic is so noisy or to sitting quietly while everybody else has engaging conversation. Do you remember that time when your hearing aid kept cutting out when you were attempting to listen to your grandson perform a song and you only heard some of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
Outdated hearing aids have all of these types of problems. A decade ago the emphasis was on turning up the volume. Nowadays, unwelcome noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do lots of other really awesome things.
Outdated Hearing Aids Can be Expensive
When you’re thinking about upgrading your hearing aid, cost is a big factor. Newer technology is not cheap, but neither is using an old, obsolete hearing aid. You will be constantly replacing batteries when you have an analog hearing aid. If you are buying new batteries every single day, or even more often than that, the costs add up.
Old hearings aids can potentially need repair, also. If you picture your hearing aid like a 1992 Buick, you’ll get the idea. Repairs are expensive and it’s always in the shop.
Smart Technology is a Thing Now
Bluetooth capability is a newer technology which has transformed hearing aid functionality. You won’t find that in an analog unit. Your tablet, phone, and even your computer can be connected, using Bluetooth, to your hearing digital aid.
Communication is The Key to Everything
It has been found by research, that you may earn less money if you have hearing loss. So it’s obvious that it would be an asset to your career if you had better hearing aids. You will hear customers and your boss better. You will follow directions without wondering if you heard it right and have important interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And clearly you will have a better quality of life if you have strong communication skills. You won’t have to go sit alone while people are talking. Jump in and get involved with the people around you.
You Just 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? Obvious? Oh my god? One of the most substantial benefits that come with upgrading old hearing aids is design and versatility. 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 hidden from sight inside your ear.
How to Know When it’s Time to Upgrade
Now you understand all the reasons you should get a hearing aid upgrade, but not what you should specifically look for that says your device may end up being called an antique. The time has come and here are the signs:
- Your hearing has changed. 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 changing life. Whenever you have to talk on the phone, you have to take it out and background noise has become a real issue.
- Your hearing aid keeps cutting out. You just can’t rely on it functioning when you need it most.
- You know for sure your hearing aid is analog. Ouch, go digital fast.
- Your ears feel weighted down. Analog hearing aids weigh a lot.
- Your hearing aid is the only thing you see when you look in a mirror. That old technology takes up a lot of space, too.
- You need to replace the batteries every day. Modern hearing aids are frequently rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It’s an easy decision. It’s time to replace your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.