Hearing aids are essential devices in day to day lives of people having hearing loss. They are also complex, making it necessary to know when to consider having a new set. Outdated devices may cost you in terms of your cognitive performance.
For this reason, it is crucial you closely lookout for the changes in performance to know if they need a replacement. But how can you tell if your hearing aids are outdated?
You Have Been with Your Hearing Aids for More Than Five Years
Most hearing aids last between three to seven years, with others lasting up to ten years. Despite their long lifetime, most of them do not reach their maximum lifetime due to a lot of wear and tear associated with the device.
Also, with the advancement of technology, newer models have improved functionality. For this reason, the older models become less effective and, at times, obsolete. Changes in technology are constant, which contribute to the integration of improved features in newer models.
Suppose you have a more than a five-year-old device; it may be outdated and lack new features present in more recent models. For instance, more contemporary hearing aid modes can minimize background noise, amplify sounds in conversations, connect to other devices, and get programmed via a smartphone app.
Make sure you consult with your hearing provider to learn about the newer hearing technologies. You will identify what your current devices are missing and upgrade appropriately.
Your Hearing Aids Are No Longer Reliable
Outdated hearing aids are less reliable. Most people with outdated hearing aids have reported experiencing buzzing sounds once in a while. It wouldn’t be fun when you are in the midst of an important meeting, but you can’t get what is communicated. It would be more dangerous to walk on the streets, and you cannot hear cars hooting or any other alarm.
Reliability is crucial, especially when hearing is a fundamental sense to improve human functioning. Outdated hearing aids may start to act up for no apparent reason, producing some irritating sounds. You must address this problem with your hearing specialist and get a replacement if the problem cannot be repaired.
You Have an Analog Hearing Aid
Analog hearing aids do not have updated features. Bluetooth is one of the features that are common in digital devices. If your hearing aid does not have Bluetooth capabilities, this is a sign that it is outdated.
The Bluetooth feature helps to connect with other devices, including your phone, computer, and television. Outdated hearing aids are not compatible with other devices, which makes them difficult to control effectively.
Another sign of an analog hearing aid is that it feels heavy. Outdated devices got built with the technology that existed several years ago. They take a lot of space and are clunky. On the contrary, digital hearing aids such as ITC and BTE models are smaller and lighter.
You Change Your Batteries Often
Do you change your batteries so often? Then, this is a sign that your hearing aid is outdated. Devices that rely on the old technology also have batteries with lower capacity. For this reason, they are less efficient, and your hearing aid may shut down when you need it most.
Contemporary hearing aids such as ITC models have tiny and rechargeable batteries that store more power, enhancing performance. Therefore, you should contact your hearing professional if you feel that your hearing aid is outdated for an upgrade.
