Since the times when your great, great grandpa used one of those ear trumpets to hear, things have changed. Even 10 years ago, hearing aids weren’t capable of doing the things they can do today. The innovation of hearing aid technology allows users to do activities that were impossible at one point. Hearing aids can now do the following things.
1. Prevent Accidental Damage While Exercising
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 and that even goes for high quality devices. Today whether you are an athlete or novice it is possible to exercise while wearing your hearing aids.
The evolution here is not in the technology, though. 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. Think of it as a lanyard for your hearing aids. 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
While it is true many hearing aids are resistant to water, they still don’t do well when completely immersed. Instead, if you want to swim you’ll need to get yourself waterproof hearing aids and think about a few add-ons.
Begin with a raincoat for your hearing aids. Your device is shielded by waterproof sleeves that fit tightly over them while still allowing you to hear. A cord also comes with most sleeves so you won’t lose your hearing aid when enjoying summer activities.
A dehumidifier is another piece of equipment you may want to invest in. Some water will get inside 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 don’t need to remove your hearing aids. However, some brands don’t have this feature. You want to purchase hearing aids that are Bluetooth-enabled or come with the wireless streaming capability. This technology allows them to pair with your phone the same way Bluetooth earbuds or headphones do.
Would you like to stream a movie? Wireless comes in handy there, too. 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, also, that works for cell phones or landlines. Signals from your phone can be heard in your hearing aid thanks to a telecoil.
4. Learn
That’s correct, hearing aids have machine learning capabilities. Certain devices will make volume adjustments depending on the setting by remembering your preference and you don’t need to do anything.
You can also just push a button and recall a specific setup stored in one of the multiple programs.
5. Make the Ringing Go Away
For many people tinnitus and loss of hearing go hand in hand. You will hear sounds better because your hearing aid can produce 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. Make sure you ask for it if you are shopping for hearing aids.
6. Store Data
A powerful 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.
The advantage is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can pull up this data to make critical modifications to the devices to enhance their sound or give you information to go on when purchasing new hearing aids.
7. Go Remote
Hearing aids with remotes permit you to quickly change programs, adjust the volume or even act as a Bluetooth streaming device.
All of these features enable you to do things that weren’t possible years ago even though they aren’t all brand new. Hearing aid technology is always progressing, too. If you go shopping for new hearing aids, be certain to take a look at the latest and greatest features. Make an appointment with a hearing care professional to see them all.