Things have changed since your great, great granddad held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Modern hearing aids are capable of so much more than these devices could do even 10 years ago. Activities that were not possible a few years in the past are currently possible due to developments in hearing aid tech. Just think about these seven things hearing aids are currently able to do.
1. Prevent Accidental Damage While Exercising
Once upon a time, it would have been unheard of to ride a bike or jog with your hearing aids in place. Even the highest quality hearing aids are subject to damage if they fall out while you are exercising. Now it’s possible to keep your hearing aids in while exercising whether you are a novice or an athlete.
However, the evolution is not only in the technology. You still can damage or lose your hearing aids if they fall out. Innovation wins out with a straightforward concept: hearing aid retention cords. Think of it as a lanyard for your hearing aids. They attach to the devices and then clip to your clothes for safety. 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 submerged. Instead, if you want to swim you’ll need to get waterproof hearing aids and think about a few add-ons.
Raincoats are available for your hearing aids. Your device is protected by waterproof sleeves that fit snugly over them and still allows you to hear. A cord is also included with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid when enjoying summer activities.
The second thing you might 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 device is dried out by the dehumidifier without causing damage to the fragile components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
No more having to remove your hearing aid when your phone rings. Not all hearing aid brands have this feature, however. You want to purchase hearing aids that are Bluetooth-enabled or have the wireless streaming capability. The same way that earbuds or headphones use Bluetooth to connect to your phone, these type of hearing aids also do that.
Would you like to stream a movie? Wireless comes in handy in this situation, as well. Sound from your MP3 player or TV can be received by a hearing aid that is equipped with 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 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 features. Some devices will remember what volume you prefer in different settings and will make the adjustment without you doing a thing, for example.
They can also include multiple programs so you can store a specific setup in the memory and press a button to recall it when the time is right.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
Loss of hearing and tinnitus go hand in hand for many people. You will hear sounds more clearly because your hearing aid can produce tinnitus masking noises. The ringing will disappear after the masking sound cancels the tinnitus. Not all brands include this tinnitus masking technology. Make sure you ask for it if you are shopping for hearing aids.
6. Store Data
A compelling new feature in hearing aids is data logging. The devices log things such as when you use the hearing aids, times you make volume changes and what background noises you come across.
The benefit is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can pull up this data to make crucial adjustments to the devices to enhance their sound or give you insight to go on when buying new hearing aids.
7. Go Remote
You can conveniently adjust the volume, change the program, or use your hearing aid as a Bluetooth streaming device if it comes with a remote.
All of these features allow you to do things that weren’t possible years ago despite the fact that they aren’t all brand new. Hearing aid technology is always advancing, too. Be sure to take a look at the latest features when you’re shopping for a new hearing aid. To see them all, make an appointment with a hearing expert right away.