Hearing Aid Upgrade: When a Working Hearing Aid Is No Longer Enough

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

A hearing aid upgrade makes sense when your current hearing aid still works but no longer fits your hearing or your daily life: your hearing has changed, you now want phone streaming or a rechargeable battery, or you spend more time in places your current technology level struggles with. The first step is not a new device but an up-to-date hearing test, because sometimes reprogramming your current hearing aid is enough.

This article is for people whose hearing aid is working. If yours is broken, weak or silent, that is a different question, and a repair check comes first. Here we look at the reasons people consider an upgrade, what has changed in hearing aids, and how to decide with your audiologist instead of on impulse.

When is a hearing aid upgrade worth considering?

A working hearing aid is not automatically the right hearing aid. These are the most common signs that it may be time to review it:

Conversations feel harder than they used to, even though the hearing aid is switched on and clean.
You turn the volume up more often, or family members say the TV is louder than before.
Your routine has changed: a new job with meetings, more travel, more phone calls or more social events.
Handling has become difficult, for example small batteries are hard to change because of eyesight or finger movement.
You want features your current device does not have, such as streaming calls and music from your phone, or charging overnight instead of changing batteries.

None of these signs means you must buy something new. They mean it is worth a conversation and a fresh hearing test.

Step one: retest your hearing

Hearing can change over time. The NIDCD describes age-related hearing loss as something that "occurs gradually for many of us", and notes that because the change is gradual, people may not notice it. A hearing aid programmed to an older audiogram may simply be set for hearing you no longer have.

A hearing test shows your current hearing in each ear. It may include pure-tone audiometry, speech testing when needed and a check of the middle ear. With current results, your audiologist can tell you one of three things:

Your current hearing aid can be reprogrammed to your new results, and that may solve the problem. Our article on hearing aid programming and fine-tuning explains what adjustment can and cannot do.
Your hearing aid can still be used but is near its limits, for example when hearing loss has progressed and the device or receiver was chosen for a milder loss.
A different style or power level may suit you better, which is when an upgrade becomes a real option.

If you notice a sudden drop in hearing, especially in one ear, do not wait for a hearing aid appointment. Sudden hearing loss needs urgent medical care the same day.

New needs: what newer hearing aids can add

Phone and media streaming

Many people upgrade because they want to hear phone calls and media directly in their hearing aids. In our hearing aid catalogue, the Danavox families describe connectivity in different ways. KLAR, Anthe and Boreal list streaming of calls and music from iPhone, iPad or Android, Barani lists clear phone calls and easy streaming, all four list Auracast-enabled accessories, and several families list hands-free calls on iPhone 11 or later with iOS 15.3 or later.

Not every model is wireless, though. The KLAR CIC models are listed as "CIC non-wireless" and use a cabled fitting, so connectivity must be checked model by model, not assumed for a whole family.

LE Audio and Auracast

Some newer families list Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio and Auracast broadcast audio: Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP. According to Danavox, Brisa requires Bluetooth 5.3 for LE Audio, Astro Pro requires iPhone 11 or later or Bluetooth 5.3 devices, and Astro Pro SP adds MultiConnect, described as connecting two devices simultaneously. If your phone is older, ask whether these features would work with it before choosing on that basis.

Rechargeable instead of disposable batteries

If changing small batteries has become a chore, a rechargeable model may help. In the catalogue, KLAR, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Core, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP include rechargeable models, while Barani and Anthe models use zinc-air batteries. Within a family, some models are rechargeable and others are not, so the battery is confirmed for the exact model. Our accessories page lists the Danavox desktop, standard and premium chargers; according to Danavox, the premium charger has an onboard battery for up to three days of portable charging.

Accessories for specific situations

An upgrade is not always a new hearing aid. Sometimes an accessory solves the problem: Danavox describes the Multi-Mic+ as a remote microphone with Auracast, the TV-Streamer+ for speech clarity at your preferred volume, and a remote control with large buttons for changing programs and volume. Accessories work with compatible hearing aids only, which is another reason to bring your current device to the appointment.

Technology levels: do you need a higher one?

Hearing aids are made at different technology levels. In the Danavox catalogue, KLAR and Astro Core use Essential and Essential Plus, while Barani, Anthe, Boreal, Brisa, Astro Pro and Astro Pro SP use Select, Advanced and Premium. Listed channel counts range from 8 to 17 depending on the model.

A higher level mainly changes how much the hearing aid adapts on its own to noisy and changing places. It does not make speech perfectly clear in every situation. Our guide to hearing aid technology levels explains the difference in detail. The practical question is simple: where do you struggle, and how often are you there? A person who spends most evenings in busy gatherings has different needs from someone who is mostly at home.

How to prepare for an upgrade conversation

Bring these to your appointment:

Your current hearing aids, charger or spare batteries, and any accessories.
Your last hearing test results, if they were done elsewhere.
A short list of situations where you struggle, for example meetings, the car, the phone or the majlis.
Your phone, if streaming matters to you, so compatibility can be discussed.

Ask your audiologist these questions:

Has my hearing changed since my last test?
Can my current hearing aid be reprogrammed to my new results?
What would a new model do in the situations on my list that mine cannot?
Which models suit my hearing, my phone and my handling needs?

What about cost and warranty?

We do not publish prices online. What changes the price is the technology level, the style, rechargeable or battery models, one or two hearing aids and any accessories. You can request a quote for a specific model or book an assessment, and the options will be explained for your results.

Every Danavox hearing aid from Jordan Hearing & Speech comes with a one-year warranty from the date of purchase. The full terms, including what is not covered and the condition that applies, are listed on our hearing aids page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a hearing test before upgrading my hearing aid?

Yes. A current test shows whether your hearing has changed and whether your present hearing aid can simply be reprogrammed. Choosing a new model without current results means choosing blind.

Can my old hearing aid be adjusted instead of replaced?

Often it can, if it is working and its range still covers your hearing. Your audiologist checks your new results against what your device can do and tells you whether adjustment is likely to be enough.

Will a newer hearing aid make me hear normally?

Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing. A newer model may make speech easier to follow in more situations, especially if your needs have changed, but the benefit differs from person to person and depends on regular wear and follow-up.

Should I upgrade both hearing aids at once?

That depends on the hearing in each ear and how your hearing aids work together. Your audiologist will explain the options after testing both ears.

Book an appointment

If your hearing aid works but no longer feels right, start with a fresh hearing test. Book an appointment at Jordan Hearing & Speech in Bousher, Muscat, or call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373. No referral is needed for a hearing test.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Age-related hearing loss
NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
Danavox families, models, connectivity and accessories as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

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