If you still have an old-school ear trumpet at hand than obviously, it’s time for an upgrade. Coming to that realization when you wear conventional hearing aids is trickier, though, so how does one know? You got your hearing aids 10 years ago, and they still get the job done, right?
Maybe you are better off having older hearing aids than having none, what’s the real price? Hearing aid tech has advanced in the last few years. Some of the functions of modern-day hearing aids hadn’t even been invented 10 years ago. For starters, they’ve gone from analog to digital. Start thinking about some reasons why you should be considering an upgrade.
Old Hearing Aids Are Unreliable
Cheaper or older hearing aids often have an irritating buzzing sound. And it’s always a good time when you get near a phone and your hearing aid begins to feedback. Occasionally that shrill feedback comes out of nowhere, too. Now why is it feeding back?
You’ve Become Used to Its Failings
You’re now used to wondering why the sound of traffic is so loud or to going off quietly while everyone else has engaging discussions. Do you remember that time when your hearing aid kept cutting out while you were trying to listen to your grandson sing a song and you could only hear some of what they were singing. You still clapped, though.
All of these are drawbacks associated with outdated hearing aids. Raising the volume was the main goal in hearing aids a decade ago. Now, unwanted noise can be filtered out and modern hearing aids can do many other truly amazing things.
Old Hearing Aids Will Cost You More Money
Expenses are always an issue in relation to an upgrade. The new technology is not cheap, but neither is wearing an old, obsolete hearing aid. You will be constantly replacing batteries with an analog hearing aid. If you are replacing the batteries on a daily basis, or even more often than that, the costs add up.
Old hearings aids can potentially need repair, also. If you picture your hearing aid as a 1992 Buick, you get the point. Repairs are expensive and it’s constantly in the shop.
Nowadays, we Have Smart Technology
Many contemporary hearing aids have Bluetooth capabilities. An analog hearing aid won’t have that feature. Having Bluetooth integrated into your digital hearing aid means that it’s compatible with your computer, your phone, possibly even your television (unless they’re a decade old, too.)
Communication is The Key to Everything
It has been revealed by research, that you could earn less money if you have hearing loss. So it’s obvious that it would be an asset to your career if you had newer hearing aids. It will be easier to hear what customers and your boss are saying. You will follow directions without wondering if you heard it right and have important conversations without worrying about whether your hearing aids will hold up or not.
And obviously you will have a better quality of life if you have good communication skills. You won’t have to go sit by yourself while people are having conversations. Feel free to get right in and engage with others.
You Really Want a Sleeker 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? One of the most significant perks that come with upgrading old hearing aids is flexibility and style. You can purchase hearing aids in lots of colors, sizes, and shapes now. You can have one concealed so tight into your ear that no one will even notice it, or you can make a fashion statement with a visible hearing aid in your favorite color.
How to Recognize When it’s Time For an Upgrade
Now you know all the reasons why 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 signs:
- 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 changing life. It’s annoying to take it out just to use the phone, or maybe you got a new job and now have to cope with more background noise.
- Your hearing aid keeps quitting. You really can’t rely on it working when you need it most.
- It’s obvious that you have an analog device. You need to go digital as soon as possible.
- Your ears feel heavy. Clunky, old technology weighs more.
- Your hearing aid is all you see when you look in a mirror. Back when that old hearing aid was new, technology was a lot bigger.
- You constantly have to switch out the batteries. Contemporary hearing aids are more energy efficient, and many are rechargeable.
It’s an easy decision. It’s time to replace your hearing aids if they’re more than 7 years old.