If you’ve ever visited Anastacia’s Antiques, you know that old things can be really cool. But this isn’t true for everything – if you’ve had the same hearing aids for a while, you may not be hearing or communicating to your best ability. Below is a guide to help you determine if it’s time to upgrade your hearing aids.
Your Hearing/Health Has Changed
If you wear glasses, you know the importance of getting your eyes checked every year or two to make sure you have the right prescription, but for some reason many people don’t think the same is true for their ears. If it’s been a while since your last visit to an audiologist, be sure to schedule a hearing test. It may reveal that your hearing aids simply need to be reprogrammed, but your audiologist may also tell you that you need more powerful devices.
A change in your overall health may also mean it’s time for an upgrade. For example, if you’re having new or worse arthritis symptoms, you may have less dexterity in your fingers that makes it difficult to change the battery or push buttons on your hearing aids. Talk to your audiologist if you’re having trouble handling your devices.
Your Lifestyle Has Changed
Maybe at the time you purchased your current hearing aids, your financial situation or lifestyle needs were different than they are now. For example, you may have purchased a low-tier level of technology due to budgetary constraints, but now can afford more state-of-the-art technology that provides better sound quality and more features. Or maybe you just upgraded to a smartphone and want to be able to use it to control the settings on your hearing aids.
If you’re ready to find out about all the amazing features of today’s state-of-the-art hearing devices, be sure to reach out to your audiologist.
Your Device Is Over 5 Years Old
On average, hearing aids last about three to seven years. For how much they cost, some people feel that they should last much longer. However, consider the rugged environment they live in: What other technological marvel has to contend with 12+ hours of use per day and is subject to rain, sun exposure, extreme temperatures, sweat and earwax?
Also, it’s simply a fact that older technology doesn’t function as efficiently as the newer versions. The point of new technology is to address the problems of older iterations and make them better. So why not find out what new features are out there?
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Pinnacle ENT Associates today!