Do You Need to Upgrade Your Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids are necessary, helpful, and reliable devices used by millions worldwide, and as technology has improved, hearing aid fidelity and features have been innovated right alongside that. For this reason, it may be that you feel as though upgrading is a good choice.

That’s your decision to make, but we’d also recommend speaking to your hearing health professional so that you can make the most informed decision.

Hearing aids may have changed a little since you last invested in one of these devices, and so it’s worth knowing what’s out there on the market. For instance, Bluetooth connectivity, remote control, smartphone app integrations, and more are now available in most standard models, depending on what kind of hearing aid style you need.

If you’re having trouble assessing if now is a good time for an upgrade, please allow us to provide a few scenarios in which this might be the best course of action. Let’s get started:

Your Hearing Aid Is Damaged, Old or No Longer Fit for Purpose

Hearing aids are sensitive devices. Even taking great care of them (such as through regular cleaning, avoiding wet environments, and having them repaired when necessary), won’t give them an infinite lifespan. For that reason, it can be helpful to replace your hearing aid from time to time. It’s generally considered a good idea to switch out your hearing aids for a new model every five years, or roughly the amount of time between purchasing new prescription glasses too, if you need those.

Your Hearing Requirements Have Changed

Hearing loss and the hearing aid solution suggested rarely stay static; these requirements can change over time. This is akin to how you’d visit an optician once every few years to make sure your prescription is correct and to select new lenses if appropriate. Regular visits to your hearing health professional (particularly if you’ve noticed a change in your situation), can potentially lead to purchasing a new hearing aid set with features or sensitivities tuned to your particular ear as it is now, not five years ago.

You Wish for New Features

There’s no shame in wishing for new features and in purchasing one of the new models solely for that purpose. After all, a hearing aid is there to help you and provide you daily comfort and life convenience related to hearing loss. 

For that reason, it may be that Bluetooth with direct audio streaming, hearing aids with more sensitive directional mics, those that use smartphone apps to control settings rather than having to fiddle with buttons, all of this can help you enjoy a more pleasant experience with your particular hearing aid setup.

There are many reasons why upgrading your hearing aids can be suitable. Perhaps you’re interested in the new features, or perhaps you can wait a little. Remember that all upgrades should first and foremost be prioritized in helping your hearing. Around that, and with this advice, you can make the best purchasing decisions possible.