If you are walking around with an old-fashioned ear trumpet in hand than obviously, it’s time for an upgrade. Making that call when you have conventional hearing aids is trickier, however, so how do you know? Your ten year old hearing aids still work, right?
Maybe you are better off having obsolete hearing aids than having none, what’s the real price? Hearing aid technology has advanced in the past few years. It’s advanced from analog to digital, to begin with, and there are functions now that weren’t even invented 10 years ago. Why should you be considering an upgrade? Here are a few good reasons.
Old Hearing Aids Are Not Very Reliable
Older or even low-quality hearing aids have real problems like that annoying buzz you hear every once in a while. And it’s always a great time when you get close to a phone and your hearing aid starts to feedback. At times that high pitched feedback comes from nowhere, too. What caused it now?
You’ve Gotten Used to Its Failings
You’re now used to wondering why the sound of traffic is so loud or to sitting quietly while everybody else has interesting conversation. Recall the time your grandchild sang you a great song she learned at school, but you only heard parts of what she sang because your hearing aids kept going out. You still clapped, though.
All of these are failings linked to outdated hearing aids. A decade ago the emphasis was on turning up the volume. Today, hearing aids do magic tricks like filtering out background noise, so no more noisy air conditioner.
Outdated Hearing Aids Will Cost You More Money
Expenses are always a factor when considering an upgrade. You will need to make a preliminary purchase with new hearing aids but older ones will also be costly over time. You will be constantly replacing batteries with an analog hearing aid. If you are replacing the batteries on a daily basis, or even more than once a day, the costs can get very high.
Repair costs can also be very high with out dated hearing aids. If you think of your hearing aid like you think of a 1992 car you would get the point. It’s in the repair shop more than it is in your ear and repairs are not cheap.
Smart Tech is a Thing Now
Most modern hearing aids have Bluetooth functionality. You won’t get that in an analog unit. Your phone, tablet, and even your computer can be connected, using Bluetooth, to your hearing digital aid.
Communication is The Key to Everything
Studies reveal that hearing loss can mean a lower paycheck. Doesn’t it make sense then that newer hearing aids would be a career asset? It will be easier to hear what customers and your boss are saying. You will follow directions without being concerned whether you heard it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will cut out or not.
And obviously you will have a better quality of life if you have strong communication skills. You won’t need to go sit by yourself while people are having conversations. Don’t hesitate 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? Clunky? Totally obvious? Oh my god? One of the most substantial advantages that come with replacing old hearing aids is style and flexibility. You can purchase hearing aids in numerous colors, sizes, and shapes now. You can have one hidden so tightly into your ear that nobody will even notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
Clues That It’s Time
Now you know all the reasons you should want a hearing aid upgrade, but not what to specifically look for that says your device may end up being called an antique. The time has come and here are the indications:
- Your hearing has changed. You don’t hear as well as you used to even with the hearing aid in your ear.
- Your old hearing aid just can’t keep up with your evolving life. It’s a pain to take it out just to use the phone, or maybe you got a new job and now have to deal with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid keeps quitting. It’s just not dependable anymore, and that’s a problem.
- You know for a fact that your hearing aid is analog. You should go digital as soon as you can.
- Your ears feel heavy. Clunky, old technology weighs a lot.
- Your hearing aid is the only thing you see when you look in a mirror. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was a lot bigger.
- You are replacing the batteries constantly. Modern hearing aids are often rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It’s not rocket science. If you’ve had your hearing aids for more than seven years, it’s time to trade up and hear better.