Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Is It Time to Upgrade Your Hearing Aids? If you've overcome your initial reluctance to get fitted for hearing aids, congratulations. We hope you're enjoying the benefits of better hearing. Hearing aids have become very high-tech devices which need to be calibrated for each unique user. In recent years, an array of amazing new features including Bluetooth connectivity, mobile phone adjustment menus, and rechargeable batteries have been introduced. Like any valuable piece of technology, hearing aids will perform better if they are properly maintained and will ultimately give way to newer, more advanced technology. While an annual visit with your audiologist is recommended to evaluate your overall hearing health, getting your hearing aids checked every 4-6 months may improve their performance and extend their life. A hearing aid check includes a thorough cleaning and performance evaluation. Key indicators that your hearing aids may need to be checked include: You're simply not hearing as well as you previously did with them. This is normal. Even though you have hearing aids, your hearing may still be changing so adjustments may be needed. They are no longer comfortable. Comfort is one of the key reasons people are reluctant to get hearing aids in the first place so if you are noticing a change, getting them checked is a far superior solution to not wearing them. Your lifestyle has changed. Maybe you're in a new work environment or are exercising more, either of which may necessitate adjustments. You are changing batteries more frequently than before. Like any other electronic device, hearing aids rely on rechargeable batteries that lose their effectiveness over time. As your hearing aids age, they may eventually need to be replaced rather than repaired. Each of the 4 indicators above may be reason to upgrade your device. Several additional factors to consider are: Aesthetics. You may simply want to wear a hearing aid that has a sleeker, more contemporary look. ww Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. Marie Vetter-Toalson, Au.D You like to have the latest technology. Upgrades happen every year with hearing aids and you may be among those who always like to have the latest, most advanced features. If your hearing aids interact with your mobile phone, getting a new phone may require a newer version of hearing aid to sync and utilize all available features. Whether you are repairing or replacing hearing aids, cost is a factor. Having an audiologist evaluate, fit, and maintain your hearing aid is less expensive than trying to find an off-the-shelf bargain at a big box store. You have wasted money if you have hearing aids that either don't work or that you don't want to wear. Further, repairs on hearing aids more than five years old can be very costly, in part because they will not have a long repair warranty. Sinking money into an old device instead of saving it and purchasing new technology is not always the best thing. The good news is that hearing aids and related expenses such as batteries, repairs, and accessories are considered qualifying medical expenses for both HSA and most FSA accounts when done through an audiology office. Call Northwest Speech and Hearing Center today at 847-392-2250 or visit www. nwhearing.com to discuss repairing or upgrading your hearing aids. | Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd., Ste. 409 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-392-2250 Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Is It Time to Upgrade Your Hearing Aids ? If you've overcome your initial reluctance to get fitted for hearing aids , congratulations . We hope you're enjoying the benefits of better hearing . Hearing aids have become very high - tech devices which need to be calibrated for each unique user . In recent years , an array of amazing new features including Bluetooth connectivity , mobile phone adjustment menus , and rechargeable batteries have been introduced . Like any valuable piece of technology , hearing aids will perform better if they are properly maintained and will ultimately give way to newer , more advanced technology . While an annual visit with your audiologist is recommended to evaluate your overall hearing health , getting your hearing aids checked every 4-6 months may improve their performance and extend their life . A hearing aid check includes a thorough cleaning and performance evaluation . Key indicators that your hearing aids may need to be checked include : You're simply not hearing as well as you previously did with them . This is normal . Even though you have hearing aids , your hearing may still be changing so adjustments may be needed . They are no longer comfortable . Comfort is one of the key reasons people are reluctant to get hearing aids in the first place so if you are noticing a change , getting them checked is a far superior solution to not wearing them . Your lifestyle has changed . Maybe you're in a new work environment or are exercising more , either of which may necessitate adjustments . You are changing batteries more frequently than before . Like any other electronic device , hearing aids rely on rechargeable batteries that lose their effectiveness over time . As your hearing aids age , they may eventually need to be replaced rather than repaired . Each of the 4 indicators above may be reason to upgrade your device . Several additional factors to consider are : Aesthetics . You may simply want to wear a hearing aid that has a sleeker , more contemporary look . ww Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. Marie Vetter - Toalson , Au.D You like to have the latest technology . Upgrades happen every year with hearing aids and you may be among those who always like to have the latest , most advanced features . If your hearing aids interact with your mobile phone , getting a new phone may require a newer version of hearing aid to sync and utilize all available features . Whether you are repairing or replacing hearing aids , cost is a factor . Having an audiologist evaluate , fit , and maintain your hearing aid is less expensive than trying to find an off - the - shelf bargain at a big box store . You have wasted money if you have hearing aids that either don't work or that you don't want to wear . Further , repairs on hearing aids more than five years old can be very costly , in part because they will not have a long repair warranty . Sinking money into an old device instead of saving it and purchasing new technology is not always the best thing . The good news is that hearing aids and related expenses such as batteries , repairs , and accessories are considered qualifying medical expenses for both HSA and most FSA accounts when done through an audiology office . Call Northwest Speech and Hearing Center today at 847-392-2250 or visit www . nwhearing.com to discuss repairing or upgrading your hearing aids . | Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd . , Ste . 409 Arlington Heights , IL 60005 847-392-2250