Since the days when your great, great grandpa used one of those ear trumpets to hear, things have changed. Newer hearing aids are able to do so much more than these devices could do even 10 years ago. Activities that were impossible a few years in the past are now possible due to innovations in hearing aid technology. Just consider these seven things hearing aids are now able to do.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
Once upon a time, it would have been risky to ride a bike or jog 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. Nowadays whether you are an athlete or beginner you can exercise while wearing your hearing aids.
The evolution here is not in the technology, however. You still can break or lose your hearing aids if they fall out. The simple concept of a hearing aid retention cord solves the problem. It’s sort 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. Hearing aid retention cords area smart option for kids, too.
2. Resist Water
Most hearing aids don’t do well when fully underwater even though they are water resistant. Instead, if you want to go swimming you’ll need to invest in waterproof hearing aids and think about a few accessories.
Protective coverings are available for your hearing aids. Waterproof Sleeves fit tightly over the devices to shield them from water damage while still allowing you to hear. Many of the sleeves come with cords that connect to your clothing too, so you won’t lose the hearing aids when you are enjoying some summer fun.
The second thing you might want to get is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. Some water is going get into the case regardless of what you do. 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 remove your hearing aids. Not all hearing aid brands have this feature, though. Wireless streaming capability and Bluetooth enabling are features you will want to think about when shopping for new hearing aids. This technology allows them to pair with your phone the same way Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Would you like to stream a movie? This is another situation where wireless features are useful. Sound from your MP3 player or TV can be received by a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
The majority of hearing aids have a telephone adaptation, as well, that works for both cell phones or landlines. Telephone adaptation makes use of a telecoil to pick up signals from the phones so you can hear them in your hearing aids.
4. Learn
That’s correct, hearing aids have machine learning capabilities. 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 press a button to recall it when the time is right.
5. Stopping The Ringing
Hearing loss and tinnitus go hand in hand for lots of people. You will hear sounds better because your hearing aid can generate tinnitus masking noises. The masking sound cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing stops. Tinnitus masking is a specific feature, though, and not available from all brands. 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 more modern functions in hearing aid technology but a powerful one. The devices log things such as when you use the hearing aids, times you make volume changes and what background noises you encounter.
Essential adjustments can be made when your audiologist or hearing aid retailer pull up this data improving sound quality.
7. Go Remote
Hearing aids that come with remotes let you to quickly change programs, adjust the volume or even act as a Bluetooth streaming device.
Not all of these features are new, but they all help you to do things with your hearing aids that were impossible years ago. Also, advancements in hearing aid technology are always being made. Be sure to take a look at the latest features when you’re shopping for a new hearing aid. To see them all, schedule an appointment with a hearing expert right away.