Since the times when your great, great granddad used one of those ear trumpets to hear, things have changed. Even a decade ago, hearing aids weren’t capable of doing the things they can do today. Activities that were impossible a few years ago are now possible due to innovations in hearing aid tech. Just think about these seven things hearing aids are currently able to do.
1. Stay Put Even When You are Moving
Once upon a time, it would have been unheard of to ride a bike or jog while wearing your hearing aids. When you are physically active, hearing aids can fall out even high quality ones. Now you can to wear your hearing aids when you’re exercising whether you are a beginner or an athlete.
The change here is not in the technology, though. Hearing aids that fall out can still get broken or lost. The basic concept of a hearing aid retention cord wins the day. It’s kind of like putting your hearing aids on a lanyard. They attach to the hearing aid and then clip to your clothes for safety. Kids will also benefit from hearing aid retention cords.
2. Resist Water
While it is true many hearing aids are resistant to water, they still won’t do well when completely immersed. Waterproof hearing aids and a couple of accessories will be required if you want to go swimming with your hearing aid.
Start with a protective covering for your hearing aids. Your device is protected by waterproof sleeves that fit snugly over them and still allows you to hear. Most of the sleeves have cords that connect to your clothing too, so you won’t lose the hearing aids when you are enjoying some summer fun.
Another thing you might want to invest in is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. No matter how careful you are, some amount of water is going to get inside the case. The unit gets 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. However, certain brands don’t have this feature. You want to buy hearing aids that are Bluetooth-enabled or come with the wireless streaming capability. This technology allows them to pair with your phone just like Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Want to stream a movie? Wireless is useful in this situation, too. With Bluetooth or wireless, the hearing aids can pick up sound from your TV or MP3 player.
Also, for cell phones or landlines, these hearing aids have a phone function. 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 doing a thing, for instance.
They can also include a number of programs so you can store a particular setup in the memory and press a button to recall it when you need it.
5. Stopping The Ringing
For many people tinnitus and loss of hearing go hand in hand. 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 clearer. The masking noise cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing goes away. Not all brands include this tinnitus masking technology. Be sure you ask for it if you are shopping for hearing aids.
6. Store Data
A powerful new feature 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 information enhancing sound quality.
7. Go Remote
Hearing aids that come with remotes permit you to quickly change programs, lower the volume or even act as a Bluetooth streaming device.
All of these functions allow you to do things that were impossible years ago despite the fact that they aren’t all brand new. Hearing aid technology is always progressing, too. If you go shopping for new hearing aids, make sure to take a look at the latest and greatest features. To see them all, schedule an appointment today.