Since the times when your great, great grandfather used one of those ear trumpets to hear, things have changed. Even a decade ago, hearing aids weren’t able to do the things they can do today. The advancement of hearing aid tech allows users to do activities that were impossible at one point. Just think about these seven things hearing aids are now able to do.
1. Prevent Accidental Damage While Exercising
At one time, it would have been unheard of to ride a bike or go jogging while wearing your hearing aids. Even the highest quality hearing aids can be damaged if they fall out while you are exercising. Now you can to keep your hearing aids in when you’re working out whether you are a beginner or an athlete.
However, the change is not only in the technology. Hearing aids that fall out can still become damaged or lost. The straightforward principle of a hearing aid retention cord wins the day. 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 security measure. Kids will also benefit from hearing aid retention cords.
2. Resist Water
Most hearing aids don’t do well when fully submerged 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.
Begin with a protective covering for your hearing aids. Waterproof Sleeves fit securely over the devices to shield them from water damage while still letting you hear. A cord is also included with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid when enjoying summer activities.
Another thing you might want to invest in is a dehumidifier for your hearing aids. Some amount of water will get into the case regardless of what you do. The unit gets dried out by the dehumidifier without causing damage to the sensitive components.
3. Pair With Your Smartphone
Now when your phone rings you won’t need to take your hearing aids out. However, certain brands don’t have this feature. You want to buy hearing aids that are Bluetooth-enabled or have the wireless streaming capability. This technology lets them pair with your phone the same way Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Interested in streaming a movie? Wireless is useful in this situation, as well. Sound from your MP3 player or TV can be picked up by a hearing aid that has Bluetooth technology.
Also, for cell phones or landlines, these hearing aids have a phone function. Telephone adaptation makes use of a telecoil to receive signals from the phones so you can hear them through your hearing aids.
4. Learn
That’s correct, machine learning capabilities are available in many models. Some devices will make volume adjustments depending on the setting by remembering your preference and you don’t have to do anything.
You can also just press a button and load a particular setup stored in one of the multiple programs.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
Hearing loss and tinnitus are closely linked for lots of 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 clearer. The masking noise cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing stops. Not all brands come with this tinnitus masking technology. Be certain 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 changes, when you use the hearing aid, and background noises you come across are examples of things that are logged by these devices.
The benefit is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can use this data to make critical adjustments to the devices to improve their sound or give you information to go on when shopping for new hearing aids.
7. Go Remote
You can conveniently lower the volume, change the program, or use your hearing aid as a Bluetooth streaming device if it comes with a remote.
All of these functions enable you to do things that weren’t possible years ago despite the fact that they aren’t all brand new. Also, progress in hearing aid technology is 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, make an appointment with a hearing professional today.