Are you considering purchasing your first set of hearing aids? Maybe upgrading your current hearing device is something you are thinking about. Experts recommend replacing your hearing aids every three to five years. But, it can be tricky to know when it’s the right time for you.
Hearing instruments are an investment. It’s not an insignificant financial decision to purchase a new set. Here are some of our top tips on when to bite the bullet.
You’re finding it hard to keep up with conversations
If you’ve been wearing instruments for a while but are having trouble hearing, it may be time for new aids. Hearing gradually changes over time. If you haven’t had a hearing test in a couple of years, your listening could have become worse without you knowing. When you bought your current devices your technology was programmed to suit your hearing needs. But if your listening needs have changed, your hearing aids might not be able to keep up.
One of the first signs that you may not be well served by your current hearing aids is that you are struggling to follow conversations. As your hearing changes, it’s going to be more difficult for you to understand individuals. At this point, you should book a hearing test to reassess your hearing requirements.
You’ve experienced a change in lifestyle
Maybe your hearing aids may have fit your lifestyle when you bought them. But now, some changes in your everyday habits may mean that a new set of hearing aids are necessary.
Maybe you’ve taken up a new active hobby such as jogging, hiking, yoga, or even swimming. For the active individual, there are many new models to better fit your lifestyle. With smaller models that fit easily in your ear canal, you can move freely without losing the capacity to hear.
Your current hearing aid needs frequent repairs
Frequent moisture, earwax, debris, and sweat exposure can damage hearing devices. Some individuals will encounter more hearing aid issues than others, depending on the environment you use them, individual ear features, and wearing habits. Without frequently cleaning and servicing, these issues can get much worse. Wax stuck in receivers can be cleaned out and some components can be exchanged, but the performance of hearing aids can eventually decline over time.
You want to take advantage of new technology
Manufacturers of hearing instruments are continually developing their hearing aid technology. For example, most now offer rechargeable hearing aids that are fantastic for users who travel frequently or are continuously on the go.
If you’ve found out about a new hearing aid functionality that you think will benefit your career, it may be time to book an appointment with your hearing healthcare professional. They can give you the opportunity to view and test the hearing aid and inform you of how you can best leverage the technology to benefit your specific lifestyle.
It’s a good time financially
If you receive public or other third-party funding, there may be restrictions on how often your hearing aids can be replaced. Information on Medicaid legislation can be found on the website of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).
Or if you buy your hearing aids privately, perhaps when you purchased your first pair of hearing aids a few years ago, you needed the most basic and cost-effective option. But if you are able to afford a more sophisticated device now, it may be time to upgrade.
Hearing Group
Do you need more information? We can help you make the right decision here at Hearing Group. We conduct hearing tests and can look at your present devices to determine whether they are correct for your current hearing requirements. Thorough cleaning and a few repairs could return them to their past glory. We might even be able to recalibrate your current devices to suit your present hearing requirements, depending on the device.
We have a wide range of advanced technology to choose from if you are set on new technology, and we will work with you to identify the ideal device to help you improve your quality of life. Contact us today for a consultation.
