Since the days when your great, great grandpa used one of those ear trumpets to hear, things have changed. Modern hearing aids are able to do so much more than these devices could do even 10 years ago. The development of hearing aid tech allows users to do activities that seemed impossible in the past. Just think about these seven things hearing aids are currently able to do.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
At one time, it would have been unheard of to ride a bike or go jogging with your hearing aids in place. Even the highest quality hearing aids can be damaged if they fall out while you are on the move. Today whether you are an athlete or novice you can exercise while your hearing aid is in.
However, the change is not only in the technology. You still can damage or lose your hearing aids if they fall out. Innovation wins out with a simple idea: hearing aid retention cords. It’s sort of like having your hearing aids on a lanyard. They clip to your clothes and connect to the hearing aid as a security measure. Kids will also benefit from hearing aid retention cords.
2. Resist Water
While it is true most hearing aids are resistant to water, they still won’t do well when completely submersed. Waterproof hearing aids and a couple of accessories will be required if you plan to swim with your hearing aid.
Protective coverings are available for your hearing aids. Waterproof Sleeves fit tightly over the devices to protect them from water damage while still letting you hear. A cord also comes with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid while enjoying summer activities.
A dehumidifier is another item you might want to get. No matter how careful you are, some water is going to get into the case. The dehumidifier dries the units out without damaging their delicate electronic components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
No more having to remove your hearing aid every time your phone rings. However, some brands don’t have this feature. Wireless streaming capability and Bluetooth enabling are features you will want to consider when shopping for new hearing aids. This technology lets them pair with your phone the same way Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Would you like to stream a movie? This is another case where wireless functionality come in handy. With Bluetooth or wireless, the hearing aids can receive sound from your TV or MP3 player.
Most hearing aids have a telephone adaptation, also, 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, hearing aids have machine learning features. Certain devices will make volume adjustments depending on the setting by remembering your preference and you won’t need to do anything.
They can also include multiple programs so you can store a specific setup in the memory and press a button to load it when the time is right.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
Hearing loss and tinnitus are closely linked 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 stops. Tinnitus masking is a particular feature, though, and not available from all brands. If you are shopping for hearing aids, and want this feature, you will need to ask for it.
6. Store Data
Data logging is one of the more recent features in hearing aid technology but a powerful one. The devices log things such as when you use the hearing aids, times you make volume adjustments and what background noises you encounter.
The advantage is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can pull up this data to make critical modifications to the devices to improve their sound or give you insight to go on when purchasing new hearing aids.
7. Go Remote
Hearing aids that come with remotes let you to quickly change programs, lower the volume or even act as a Bluetooth streaming device.
Not all of these features are new, but they all let you do things with your hearing aids that weren’t possible years ago. Hearing aid tech is always advancing, too. If you’re buying new hearing aids, be sure to take a look at the latest and greatest features. To see them all, schedule an appointment with a hearing professional right away.