Things are different since your great, great grandfather held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Even 10 years ago, hearing aids weren’t able to do the things they can do today. Activities that were not possible a few years ago are now possible because of developments in hearing aid technology. Hearing aids can now do the following things.
1. Don’t Fall Out While Exercising
Once upon a time, it would have been unheard of to ride a bike or jog while wearing your hearing aids. Even top quality hearing aids can be damaged if they fall out while you are exercising. Today whether you are an athlete or novice it is possible to exercise while wearing your hearing aids.
The change here is not in the technology, though. Hearing aids that fall out can still become damaged or lost. Innovation wins out with a simple idea: hearing aid retention cords. Think of it as a lanyard for your hearing aids. They clip to your clothes and connect to the hearing aid as a safety measure. Hearing aid retention cords area great option for kids, too.
2. Resist Water
Most hearing aids don’t do well when fully underwater even though they are water resistant. Waterproof hearing aids and a couple of accessories will be needed if you want to swim with your hearing aid.
Begin with a raincoat for your hearing aids. Waterproof Sleeves fit securely over the devices to protect them from water damage while still allowing you to hear. The majority of the sleeves come with cords that connect to your clothing too, so you won’t lose the hearing aids while enjoying some summer activities.
A dehumidifier is another piece of equipment you might want to invest in. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, some water will get inside the case. The dehumidifier dries the units out without damaging their fragile electronic components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
Now when your phone rings you won’t have to take your hearing aids out. However, some brands don’t have this feature. Wireless streaming capability and Bluetooth enabling are features you will want to consider when buying new hearing aids. The same way that earbuds or headphones use Bluetooth to connect to your phone, these type of hearing aids also do that.
Interested in streaming a movie? Wireless comes in handy in this situation, as well. Sound from your MP3 player or TV can be picked up by a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
The majority of hearing aids come with a telephone adaptation, as well, that works for both cell phones or landlines. Telephone adaptation uses a telecoil to receive signals from the phones so you can hear them in your hearing aids.
4. Learn
That’s right, machine learning capabilities are available in many models. Some devices can remember what volume you prefer in different environments and will make the adjustment without you doing a thing, for instance.
They can also come with multiple 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
Hearing loss and tinnitus go hand in hand for lots of people. Hearing aids that include tinnitus maskers or sound generators will play a low-level sound in the background that covers up the ringing, so you hear sounds better. The masking noise cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing goes away. Tinnitus masking is a specific feature, though, and not available from all brands. Be sure you ask for it if you are shopping for hearing aids.
6. Store Data
Data logging is one of the more recent features in hearing aid technology but a powerful one. Volume changes, when you use the hearing aid, and background noises you encounter are examples of things that are logged by these devices.
Crucial modifications can be made when your audiologist or hearing aid retailer a*/ccess this information 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.
All of these features allow you to do things that weren’t possible years ago even though they aren’t all brand new. Hearing aid technology is constantly progressing, too. Be sure to check out the latest features when you’re shopping for a new hearing aid. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care specialist to see them all.