Things are different since your great, great granddad held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Even 10 years ago, hearing aids weren’t able to do the things they can do now. Activities that were impossible a few years in the past are now possible due to innovations in hearing aid tech. Hearing aids can now do the following things.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
Once upon a time, it would have been risky to ride a bike or go jogging with your hearing aids in place. When you are moving around, hearing aids can fall out and that even goes for high quality devices. Today whether you are an athlete or beginner you can exercise while wearing your hearing aids.
The evolution here is not in the technology, however. Hearing aids that fall out can still get broken or lost. The straightforward concept of a hearing aid retention cord solves the problem. Think of it as a lanyard for your hearing aids. They slide on to the devices and then clip to your clothes for safety. Hearing aid retention cords area great choice for kids, too.
2. Resist Water
Most hearing aids don’t do well when fully submerged even though they are water resistant. Instead, if you want to go swimming you’ll need to get yourself waterproof hearing aids and think about some add-ons.
Start with a protective covering for your hearing aids. Your device is protected by waterproof sleeves that fit snugly over them and still allows you to hear. A cord also comes with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid when enjoying summer activities.
The second thing you may want to invest in is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, some water will get inside the case. The unit gets dried out by the dehumidifier without causing damage to the sensitive components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
No more taking the hearing aid out when your phone rings. Not all hearing aid brands have this feature, though. You want to purchase hearing aids that are Bluetooth-enabled or come with the wireless streaming capability. This technology lets them pair with your phone just like Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Want to stream a movie? Wireless is useful in this situation, as well. With Bluetooth or wireless, the hearing aids can pick up sound from your TV or MP3 player.
Also, for cell phones or landlines, these hearing aids have a phone function. Telephone adaptation uses a telecoil to pick up signals from the phones so you can hear them through your hearing aids.
4. Learn
That’s right, hearing aids have machine learning features. Some devices will make volume adjustments depending on the setting by remembering your preference and you won’t need to do anything.
They can also come with a number of programs so you can store a particular setup in the memory and push a button to load it when the time is right.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
Loss of hearing and tinnitus go hand in hand for lots of people. Hearing aids that come with tinnitus maskers or sound generators will play a low-level sound in the background that masks the ringing, so you hear sounds better. The ringing will subside after the masking sound cancels the tinnitus. Not all brands include this tinnitus masking tech. If you are shopping for hearing aids, and require this feature, you will have to ask for it.
6. Store Data
Data logging is one of the more recent functions in hearing aid technology but a powerful one. Volume changes, when you use the hearing aid, and background noises you come across are examples of things that are logged by these devices.
Critical modifications can be made when your audiologist or hearing aid retailer a*/ccess this data bettering sound quality.
7. Go Remote
You can conveniently lower the volume, change the program, or use your hearing aid as a Bluetooth streaming device if you have a remote.
Not all of these functions are new, but they all assist you in doing things with your hearing aids that were impossible years ago. Also, progress in hearing aid technology is always being made. If you’re buying new hearing aids, be sure to check out the latest and greatest features. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care specialist to see them all.