I just had a patient in my office with six year old hearing aids. A piece was missing that we could replace but he was dubious why other parts could not be replaced. I get it. Many people have heard the “sales comments” mentioning that they need to buy something new or that technology is out of date as soon as you get it. That is so far from the truth. Our deed and words back this up on a daily basis.
We personally hate to have a patient feel as though they are being “sold” hearing aids. That’s for other places to make that feeling come about. When the “need” arises that one’s hearing must be improved and the technology cannot accomplish that, we then explain it in detail. But let me tell you our personal story:
We have several computers with Windows XP, one with Windows 7 and mine with Windows 8.1. I was reticent to say the least to replace my computer which is nine years old. I have replaced others and really have updated it a few times but not replaced all of it. But in December, friends of mine Rampart Computers in Bixby, replaced my computer but put my old hard drive in with my QuickBooks files on it for me. Then in late January, that hard drive blew up and some of the files I didn’t back up were lost. Just part of being a business owner with stuff like that.
Hearing aids sometimes have parts that manufacturers don’t make anymore. They have phased out older parts that weren’t as good for oils, moisture, or performance as the newer stuff. It costs them money to keep older parts around and at some point, they must not order them in favor of the new parts. That is one reason why some people must replace hearing aids.
I knew of an Audiologist in Houston who told her patients back in 1997 that her digital hearing aids would NEVER need to be replaced (she really didn’t understand technology). I could not convince her of this error. All things must be replaced. The average is four to seven years before technology needs to be replaced based upon many factors. Just food for thought.
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