For those of us with hearing loss, hearing aids are the best investment we can make to improve our lives. Think back to the moment your hearing aids were first fitted and recall the immediate clarity and amplification of sounds around you.
Because hearing loss is an invisible and gradual condition, many people who experience it are not aware of its presence. It is estimated that people wait an average of seven years from the time they first notice changes in their hearing until the time they decide to seek treatment. Most of us try to adapt to this new way of life – though it does bring many negative consequences to our physical and emotional health.
Untreated hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk for dementia, anxiety, stress, and depression. It also lowers your earning power on the job due to issues with concentration and communication. When you’re out and about, a diminished ability to hear could put you in harm’s way, whether you are crossing the street or missing the sirens of an emergency vehicle.
Even if you have treated hearing loss with hearing aids, it is important to keep in mind that hearing abilities are constantly changing. At the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that your hearing aids – though extraordinarily powerful little devices – do have a shelf life. After all, you do wear them all day!
Here are three reasons you might consider checking out a new pair of hearing aids.
Your Hearing Abilities Have Changed
In the same way one might require a higher prescription for eyeglasses, your hearing abilities may change from the first hearing exam and hearing aid fitting you received. How does one identify that this the case?
If you find yourself constantly struggling to hear, or if sounds feel muddy and unclear, even though there does not appear to be any malfunction in your hearing aids, it may be time to update your devices. Your hearing aids are fitted to treat the precise degree and configuration of hearing loss you experience, and if sounds are less clear, then your hearing aids may no longer meet your hearing requirements.
Pay attention to how many times you turn your hearing aid volume up during the day. In some cases, it could be a mechanical issue, so please visit us at Custom Hearing Solutions if you have questions. If repairs and battery replacements don’t seem to make a difference, we will provide a new hearing test to determine your current hearing abilities.
Your Lifestyle Has Changed
Have you recently gotten a new job? Have you picked up a new activity? When you were first fitted for your hearing aids, we consulted with you about your lifestyle and your activities. The hearing aids with which you were fitted were selected and tailored to meet your personal needs, in the activities you partake throughout the day.
There are many hearing aid features available to address specific environments. If you’ve picked up hiking or if you’re into aqua aerobics, there will be a hearing aid out there that better suits your needs. Similarly, if your new job requires more communication with colleagues, you may want to upgrade to a hearing aid that has more nuanced speech recognition features.
If you’ve recently made some life changes, come and visit us at Custom Hearing Solutions! We can talk you through the different options available to better meet your current hearing needs.
You Want Access to New Technology
Do you keep up with the latest advancements in technology? There’s no denying that it is an exciting time for hearing aid technology. So far, this year, many major hearing aid manufacturers have rolled out new and improved hearing aid models with improved wireless compatibility and rechargeable battery options that ensure confidence in your energy source as well as longer listening time.
In addition to these functions, newer hearing aid models are designed with consumer feedback in mind, thus providing wearers with even better access to speech and sound. With faster sound processing platforms and sleeker, slimmer designs, these new hearing aids provide wearers with a better listening experience than ever before.
Want to learn more about the latest offerings on the market? Visit us at Custom Hearing Solutions to check out the newest models available.