Things have changed since your great, great granddad held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Modern hearing aids are able to do so much more than they could do even 10 years ago. Activities that were impossible a few years ago are currently possible because of advancements in hearing aid tech. Just consider these seven things hearing aids are now able to do.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
At one time, it would have been risky to ride a bike or jog while wearing your hearing aids. 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 when you’re working out whether you are a beginner or an athlete.
The change here is not in the technology, though. You can still break or lose your hearing aids if they fall out. Innovation wins out with a straightforward approach: hearing aid retention cords. It’s kind of like having your hearing aids on a lanyard. They clip to your clothes and slide on to the hearing aid as a safety measure. Hearing aid retention cords area great choice 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 few accessories will be needed if you want to go swimming with your hearing aid.
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. A cord also comes with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid while enjoying summer activities.
Another thing you might want to get is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. Some amount of water will get into the case no matter what you do. The device gets dried out by the dehumidifier without causing damage to the delicate components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
No more taking the hearing aid out when your phone rings. Not all hearing aid brands do this, however. Wireless streaming capability and Bluetooth enabling are features you will want to think about when shopping for 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? This is another case where wireless functionality come in handy. With Bluetooth or wireless, the hearing aids can pick up sound from your TV or MP3 player.
Most hearing aids come with a telephone adaptation, also, that works for 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, machine learning features are available in many models. Some devices can remember what volume you prefer in different situations and will make the adjustment without you having to do anything, for instance.
You can also just press a button and load a particular setup stored in one of the numerous programs.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
Loss of hearing and tinnitus go hand in hand for many people. Hearing aids that 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 goes away. Not all brands include this tinnitus masking tech. If you are investing in hearing aids, and need this function, you will have to ask for it.
6. Store Data
A compelling new function in hearing aids is data logging. Volume adjustments, when you use the hearing aid, and background noises you encounter are examples of things that are logged by these devices.
Crucial adjustments can be made when your audiologist or hearing aid retailer a*/ccess this data enhancing sound quality.
7. Go Remote
Hearing aids that come with remotes enable 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 help you to do things with your hearing aids that were impossible years ago. Hearing aid tech is constantly progressing, too. Be certain to take a look at the latest features when you go shopping for a new hearing aid. Schedule an appointment with a hearing care specialist to see them all.