5 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are valuable investments that bring clarity to everyday conversations and joy to life's precious moments. Like any technology, hearing aids evolve over time, offering new features and improved performance. At Family Audiology and Hearing Centers, we see many patients wondering when the right time is to consider upgrading their devices.

1. Your Current Devices Are More Than 5 Years Old

Most hearing aids are designed to last between 3-7 years. If your devices are approaching or have passed the five-year mark, newer technology may offer significant improvements to your hearing experience.

Modern hearing aids like Oticon Intent utilize world-first user-intent sensors that understand and adapt to your natural behavior and listening intentions in real-time. The ReSound Vivia provides impressive battery life, offering up to 30 hours of usage with AI-driven sound processing, addressing a long-standing issue for hearing aid users.

The technology gap between a five-year-old device and today's models can be substantial. For example, the Starkey Edge AI incorporates a G2 Neuro Processor with an integrated neural processing unit (NPU) designed to mimic the human brain's auditory processing. Its AI technology at the edge delivers 30% more accurate speech identification and clearer sound in challenging environments.

2. You're Struggling to Hear in Noisy Environments

One of the most common complaints we hear from patients is difficulty hearing in restaurants, family gatherings, or other noisy settings. If you find yourself avoiding social situations because of hearing difficulties, newer technology might help.

The ReSound Vivia is powered by AI technology trained on the equivalent of 25 years of conversation. Its DNN can perform 4.9 trillion operations per day to spotlight speech and reduce background noise. Internal research suggests that 64% of users experience better speech comprehension in noise with ReSound Vivia compared to other AI-assisted hearing aids.

3. You're Having Connectivity Issues with Your Devices

Technology has dramatically changed how we interact with our devices. Modern hearing aids now connect seamlessly with smartphones, tablets, and other electronics, enhancing the user experience.

The Phonak Infinio platform offers universal Bluetooth connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, allowing for direct connection to smartphones and other devices. It's compatible with iOS and Android devices and enables direct audio streaming of phone calls, music, and other audio directly to the hearing aids.

Starkey Edge AI integrates the ALL-NEW Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio streaming protocol, which consumes less power and delivers the next-generation connectivity standard across the industry. By switching to LE Audio, Edge AI hearing aids pair more easily, connect more quickly, stream more robustly, and are Auracast™ ready.

If you find yourself missing out on these connectivity features, it might be time to consider an upgrade to enhance your overall hearing experience.

4. Your Hearing Needs Have Changed

Our hearing changes over time. The hearing aids that worked perfectly when first fitted may no longer provide adequate amplification if your hearing has declined.

At Family Audiology and Hearing Centers, our audiologists use state-of-the-art software to fine-tune hearing aids according to a patient's specific hearing loss profile. The aim is to amplify soft sounds to an audible level and compress louder sounds to a comfortable level.

Regular hearing tests are instrumental in early detection of hearing-related issues. As we age, our auditory abilities naturally deteriorate, making regular evaluations imperative. Hearing tests provide a baseline for your hearing levels, helping detect any changes over time.

If you've noticed that sounds seem muffled or conversations are harder to follow than they once were with your current hearing aids, we recommend scheduling a hearing evaluation to determine if your hearing needs have changed.

5. Your Devices Require Frequent Repairs

When hearing aids begin to require frequent repairs, it's often more cost-effective to invest in new technology rather than continue maintaining older devices.

Hearing aids are typically meant to be worn for 3 to 7 years. If you've tried all possible solutions and nothing seems to work, it may be time to get new hearing aids. Some signs that you might need new hearing aids include persistent issues despite repairs, visible damages, or if your hearing aids have an extensive repair history.

Modern hearing aids are more durable than ever before. The ReSound Vivia and Savi families have an IP68 rating, the highest level of ingress protection possible against debris and moisture for hearing aids. The Starkey Edge AI stands out for its impressive battery life, eliminating the hassle of constantly replacing batteries.

Latest Hearing Aid Technology

The advancements in hearing aid technology over the past few years have been remarkable. Here's a glimpse at what's available:

The Signia IX platform includes several standout models tailored to meet diverse hearing needs. The Signia Pure Charge&Go IX is ideal for active patients, featuring rechargeable batteries, direct audio streaming from iOS and Android devices, and telecoil technology for accessing public sound systems. The Signia Silk Charge&Go IX offers a discreet in-ear option that is nearly invisible to others, providing powerful sound enhancement and advanced speech recognition technology for clear communication in various environments.

Oticon Intent is designed to offer a unique, tailored hearing experience through its four types of sensor inputs: conversation activity, body movement, head movement, and the acoustic environment. This allows the hearing aid to prioritize speech, support increased spatial awareness, understand different communication situations, and adapt to the varying sound scenes around the user. With improved rechargeability offering more power and a shorter charging time, this device enhances engagement with the world around you.

Starkey Edge AI features a groundbreaking G2 Neuro Processor with a fully integrated neural processing unit (NPU) that classifies complex soundscapes, enhances speech, and reduces noise in real-time. Trained on millions of sounds, the AI inside Edge AI focuses on the sounds you want to hear while diminishing distractions, delivering a cleaner, purer signal. With up to 51 hours of battery life and features like Edge Mode+ for challenging environments, these devices offer exceptional performance.

Phonak Infinio represents the latest advancement in hearing aid technology with models including the Audéo Infinio R, Audéo Infinio Sphere, and CROS Infinio. The premium Audéo Infinio Sphere features dual-chip architecture with an ERA Chip for core sound processing and a DEEPSONIC Chip dedicated to real-time AI processing for speech-in-noise separation. With AutoSense OS 6.0, these devices automatically adjust settings based on your listening environment.

ReSound Vivia is powered by AI technology trained on the equivalent of 25 years of conversation. Its Deep Neural Network (DNN) significantly outperforms other AI hearing solutions with up to 17 times more efficient sound processing. The Intelligent Focus feature prioritizes sounds based on the direction you're looking, helping you focus on conversations naturally, even in complex environments. For more cost-conscious patients, ReSound Savi offers many of the same connectivity features, including Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast capabilities, at a more affordable price point.

Schedule Your Hearing Consultation Today

If you've noticed any of these signs, it might be time to explore new hearing aid options. At Family Audiology and Hearing Centers, we provide comprehensive hearing evaluations and personalized recommendations based on your unique hearing needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

With 17 locations across Ohio, our team of experienced audiologists and hearing specialists is ready to help you discover the latest advancements in hearing technology. We'll guide you through the selection process, ensuring you find the perfect solution for your hearing needs.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward better hearing with modern technology. Let us help you stay connected to the sounds and people you love.