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, though, so how does one know? Your ten year old hearing aids still function, right?
Maybe you are better off using obsolete hearing aids than not having one, what’s the real cost? In the past few years, hearing aids have dramatically advanced. It’s advanced from analog to digital, to begin with, and there are functions now that weren’t even invented 10 years ago. Think about some reasons why it’s time for you to be thinking about an upgrade.
Old Hearing Aids Are Unreliable
Cheaper or older hearing aids frequently have an aggravating buzzing sound. And it’s always a fun time when you get close to a phone and your hearing aid starts to feedback. At times that high pitched feedback comes out of nowhere, too. What caused it now?
You’ve Become Desensitized to its Low Quality
You are used to sitting in quiet self-reflection while everybody around you engages in conversation or wondering why the air conditioning unit is so loud. 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 parts of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
These are all weaknesses linked to old hearing aids. Raising the volume was the main objective in hearing aids ten years ago. Now, undesirable noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do many other truly awesome things.
Older Hearing Aids Will Cost You More Money
When you’re considering upgrading your hearing aid, expense is a major consideration. You will need to make a preliminary investment with new hearing aids but old ones will also be expensive over time. Analog hearing aids need new batteries frequently. You can understand how expensive it will be, purchasing new batteries at least once every day.
Out of date hearings aids can potentially spend more time at the shop, too. If you think of your hearing aid like you think of a 1992 car you would understand where we are coming from. It’s in the repair shop more than it’s in your ear and repairs are not cheap.
Today, we Have Smart Tech
Bluetooth connectivity is a newer technology which has revolutionized hearing aid capability. An analog hearing aid won’t come with that feature. Having Bluetooth integrated into your digital hearing aid means it’s compatible with your computer, your phone, perhaps even your tv (unless they’re a decade old, too.)
Communication is The Secret to Everything
It has been shown by research, that you could earn less money if you suffer from hearing loss. Doesn’t it seem sensible then that newer hearing aids would be a career asset? It will be easier to hear what your boss and customers are saying. You will be capable of following directions without wondering if you got it right and have critical interactions without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
Needless to say, stronger communication means an improved quality of life, as well. You don’t need to sit like a wallflower during discussions anymore. Jump right in and engage with the people around you.
You Really Want a More Stylish Looking Hearing Aid
How do you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror with that old hearing aid? Clunky? Obvious? Oh my god? One of the most significant benefits that come with replacing old hearing aids is style and versatility. You can purchase hearing aids in lots of colors, sizes, and shapes nowadays. You can have one tucked so tight into your ear that nobody will ever notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with an out of the ear hearing aid in your favorite color.
Signs That It’s Time
Now you recognize why a hearing aid upgrade is important, now it’s time to learn what makes a hearing aid outdated. Here are some telltale signs that the time has come:
- There are changes in your hearing. Even when you have the hearing aids in your ears, it seems as if you don’t hear as well.
- Your old hearing aid just can’t keep up with your evolving life. Whenever you have to use the phone, you have to remove it and background noise has become a big problem.
- Your hearing aid keeps quitting. It’s simply not reliable anymore, and that’s a problem.
- It’s clear that you have an analog device. You should go digital as soon as possible.
- Your ears feel weighted down. Clunky, old technology weighs more.
- Your hearing aid is the only thing you see when you look in a mirror. That obsolete technology occupies a lot of space, as well.
- You need to replace the batteries every day. Modern hearing aids are often rechargeable and are also more energy efficient.
It’s not rocket science. It’s time to replace your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.