Things have changed since your great, great grandpa held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Even ten years ago, hearing aids weren’t capable of doing the things they can do now. Activities that were not possible a few years in the past are now possible due to developments in hearing aid technology. Just consider these seven things hearing aids are currently capable of doing.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
Jogging or riding a bike while wearing a hearing aid would have been risky in the past. When you are physically active, hearing aids can fall out and that even goes for high quality devices. Now it’s possible to wear your hearing aids while exercising whether you are a beginner or an athlete.
The change here is not in the technology, however. Hearing aids that fall out can still get broken or lost. Innovation wins out with a simple approach: hearing aid retention cords. It’s kind of like putting your hearing aids on a lanyard. They clip to your clothes and slide on to the hearing aid as a security measure. Kids will also benefit from hearing aid retention cords.
2. Resist Water
Most hearing aids don’t do well when fully underwater despite the fact that they are water resistant. Waterproof hearing aids and some accessories will be necessary if you plan to swim with your hearing aid.
Protective coverings are available for your hearing aids. Your device is protected by waterproof sleeves that fit tightly over them while still allowing you to hear. A cord also comes with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid while enjoying summer activities.
The second thing you might want to get is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. No matter how cautious you are, some water is going to get inside the case. The dehumidifier dries the devices out without damaging their delicate electronic parts.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
Now when your phone rings you won’t have to take your hearing aids out. Not all hearing aid brands have this feature, however. Wireless streaming capability and Bluetooth enabling are features you will want to consider when purchasing new hearing aids. This technology allows them to pair with your phone just like Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Interested in streaming a movie? This is another situation where wireless functionality are useful. 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 cell phones or landlines. Signals from your phone can be heard in your hearing aid thanks to a telecoil.
4. Learn
That’s correct, machine learning capabilities are available in many models. Certain devices will make volume adjustments depending on the setting by remembering your preference and you won’t have to do anything.
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
Loss of hearing and tinnitus go hand in hand for many people. Hearing aids which come with 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 sound cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing stops. Not all brands have this tinnitus masking technology. If you are shopping for hearing aids, and require this function, you will need to ask for it.
6. Store Data
Data logging is one of the newer features in hearing aid technology but a compelling one. The devices log things like when you use the hearing aids, times you make volume adjustments and what background noises you come across.
The advantage is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can pull up this data to make critical adjustments to the devices to enhance their sound or give you insight to go on when purchasing new hearing aids.
7. Go Remote
You can quickly lower the volume, change the program, or use your hearing aid as a Bluetooth streaming device if it comes with a remote.
Not all of these features are new, but they all help you to do things with your hearing aids that were impossible years ago. Hearing aid technology is always progressing, too. If you’re buying new hearing aids, be sure to check out the latest and greatest features. To see them all, schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist today.