Should You Upgrade your Hearing Aid?

Your hearing is a precious and important thing. It allows you to communicate properly and to enjoy all the beautiful sounds in everyday life. As we age our hearing naturally starts to weaken, making it difficult to discern certain tones and decibel levels. Hearing aids can provide the support needed to keep your hearing sharp throughout your life.

It is important to realize that purchasing a hearing aid is not a one-time endeavor. The average life span of a hearing device is typically between three to seven years. And, while this is a good rule of thumb as you consider when to upgrade to your device, there are other reasons you might want to think about.

• Poor performance – If your hearing aids are becoming less effective, the first step is to ensure that they are working properly. A good cleaning or minor repair might be all that is required to have them operating at peak efficiency. If this does not clear up the issue you might want to talk to your hearing specialist about other alternatives.
• Your needs are not being met – A change in your circumstances might require an upgrade in your hearing equipment. For instance, if your job role changes and necessitates more time on the phone you might want to consider an upgrade to more finely tuned equipment. New technology allows hearing aids to sync with mobile devices offering a clearer phone experience.
• Change in hearing – Just because you have a hearing device does not mean that your hearing will not change. If you find that your current hearing aids are no longer sufficient for normal hearing, you might need to upgrade to a more specialized device.
• Change in technology – Just as other areas of technology are rapidly changing, so too is hearing technology. Smaller units, the capacity to synch with other devices, finer tuning abilities and even wireless options are making hearing aids more state-of-the-art.

Finding just the right hearing device for your needs requires the help of a trusted hearing professional who can assist you in wading through all the options. If you or someone you know is considering upgrading their hearing device, contact the professionals at Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana.  Their staff in Bossier City will guide you through all the important steps required to help improve your hearing. 

Should You Upgrade your Hearing Aid?

Your hearing is a precious and important thing. It allows you to communicate properly and to enjoy all the beautiful sounds in everyday life. As we age our hearing naturally starts to weaken, making it difficult to discern certain tones and decibel levels. Hearing aids can provide the support needed to keep your hearing sharp throughout your life.

It is important to realize that purchasing a hearing aid is not a one-time endeavor. The average life span of a hearing device is typically between three to seven years. And, while this is a good rule of thumb as you consider when to upgrade to your device, there are other reasons you might want to think about.

• Poor performance – If your hearing aids are becoming less effective, the first step is to ensure that they are working properly. A good cleaning or minor repair might be all that is required to have them operating at peak efficiency. If this does not clear up the issue you might want to talk to your hearing specialist about other alternatives.
• Your needs are not being met – A change in your circumstances might require an upgrade in your hearing equipment. For instance, if your job role changes and necessitates more time on the phone you might want to consider an upgrade to more finely tuned equipment. New technology allows hearing aids to sync with mobile devices offering a clearer phone experience.
• Change in hearing – Just because you have a hearing device does not mean that your hearing will not change. If you find that your current hearing aids are no longer sufficient for normal hearing, you might need to upgrade to a more specialized device.
• Change in technology – Just as other areas of technology are rapidly changing, so too is hearing technology. Smaller units, the capacity to synch with other devices, finer tuning abilities and even wireless options are making hearing aids more state-of-the-art.

Finding just the right hearing device for your needs requires the help of a trusted hearing professional who can assist you in wading through all the options. If you or someone you know is considering upgrading their hearing device, contact the professionals at Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana.  Their staff in Bossier City will guide you through all the important steps required to help improve your hearing. 

The Effects of Hearing Loss on Brain Function

Recent studies have found that the effects of hearing loss go beyond daily frustration, social isolation, and the inability to distinguish speech or enjoy music. Hearing loss is also linked to a decline in cognition and an increased risk of dementia. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to turn some attention to the effects of good hearing on brain health.

Neuroplasticity: The link between hearing loss and cognitive decline  

We tend to think of hearing as something we do with our ears, but it is actually the brain that processes the sounds we hear. Our ears carry electrical signals to the brain, which then turn those signals into sounds we recognize. When we experience hearing loss, the area of our brain that interprets those electrical signals becomes underused, and begins to decline.

Previously, it was believed that our brains remained mostly unchanged throughout our adult lives. We now know, however, that the brain reorganizes itself when it needs to adapt, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. This reorganization begins even in the early stages of hearing loss, where other areas of the brain that are responsible for higher cognitive function attempt to compensate for the loss of hearing. In the elderly adult, especially, this overworks areas of the brain needed for high-level functioning, which may explain why hearing loss is so closely correlated with dementia.   

Early Intervention: Protecting brain function

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that one-third of adults aged 65-74, and nearly one-half of those over 75, have trouble hearing. Although we tend to think of hearing loss affecting primarily older adults, hearing loss can occur at any age, with 65% of people with hearing loss being below retirement age. Yet, less than 25% of those who need hearing aids get them right away, waiting an average of 7 years, in which time preventative cognitive decline may be occurring.

If you believe you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, schedule a hearing test with a licensed audiologist. Early intervention can help preserve cognitive function and lower the risk of dementia.       

At Better Hearing Systems of Northwest Louisiana, we are committed to comprehensive hearing care through state-of-the-art testing and fitting equipment. We offer cutting-edge hearing aids, hearing devices, and premium hearing accessories. To learn more about what Better Hearing Systems can do for you, visit our website or call (318) 309-4727 today to schedule a free hearing consultation.