No reason to wait to buy a hearing aid
Why should I buy a hearing aid if it is just going to be considered obsolete in 90 days?
Hearing aid manufacturers are always in a race to come up with the newest technology. This does not mean that you shouldn't get a hearing aid when you need one. There is no reason to wait. Yes, the manufacturers keep improving aids and almost every year they come out with some fantastic new advances but if someone needs to hear they need to hear NOW. Hearing aids don't really become obsolete they just get old and wear out. Just because there are continual circuitry improvements that does not mean that hearing aids become obsolete. An example of obsolete would be when the aids age to the point that circuitry can no longer be accessed because of software advancements. I have only had one pair of old aids that I was unable to reprogram due to the fact that my new computer could not use the software from 10 years ago. That patient really needed new hearing aids anyway.
The hearing aids that have been out that past decade have been really, really good compared to aid of the past (before digital). If one waits for the next best circuit they are depriving their brain from hearing now. Friends and family are frustrated with repeating themselves to you now. Don't put it off. Thinking new aids become obsolete right away is just another excuse to keep denying the problem.
Another reason why not to wait is it is an election year. Everyone wants to hear what is going to happen around election time!
I don't think a hearing aid is obsolete until it is too old or weak to work for you or if the circuit goes bad and the circuitry has been discontinued. It is always recommended to get new hearing aids every 5 years because aids just wear out and the hearing loss usually gets worse and needs a stronger circuit anyway.
Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for more than 12 years. Every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 Third St. in Coeur d'Alene. (208) 664-2767. Visit www.affordablehearinginc.com for a free copy of the consumers guide to hearing aids and watch helpful videos.