Do you remember the hearing aids your grandparents used to wear? If so, you likely think of hearing aids as bulky, cumbersome, and subject to feedback. However, like all technology, hearing aids have come quite a long way in the past 20 years. The old analog technology of hearing aids is now replaced with sleek digital hearing aids which offer a dynamic enhancement of sound.
Today hearing aids can maximize hearing for people of all ages, due to significant innovations in connectivity, improved sound quality, and expanded capabilities for many different environments. In the past, even with treatment using hearing aids, many lived with limited mobility due to communication issues and lack of awareness of their environment. However, due to innovations, today’s hearing aids contribute towards active lifestyles and improved quality of life.
Innovative Technology and Hearing Aids
Hearing loss is different for almost everyone. Some people lose tones and pitches in higher ranges, while others struggle to hear deep tones. When you attend a hearing exam, we can help diagnose your exact hearing loss and can program your hearing aids to specifically enhance those sounds only. This is one of the many benefits that digital hearing aids offer. While analog hearing aids amplified sound as its original sound wave, digital hearing aids turn a sound wave into micro-steps. This provides crisp clear sound every step of the way.
Digital technology is also allowing for smaller models which are easier to wear for an active lifestyle and are more discrete than ever before. However, advancements in digital technology are not limited to only hearing aids. Digital hearing aids allow you to tap into the other devices in your digital network, improving connectivity and comprehension across your life. Today’s hearing aids can do a range of things including the following:
Using Bluetooth technology: Bluetooth technology allows digital devices to communicate with each other without cables or wires, relying on short-range radiofrequency. As long as devices are in proximity, they can communicate with each other. For hearing aid technology, this means that you can connect wirelessly to your television, Car stereo, smartphone, GPS navigator, and more. You can customize settings, so this happens automatically or easily connect on a case-by-case basis.
Reduce background noise: One of the biggest challenges with or without hearing aids for the hearing impaired is hearing in noisy settings with multiple conversations occurring at once. However, with innovations in noise cancellation technology, there is no need to increase the volume of your hearing aids in these circumstances. Many hearing aids also employ directional microphones which can only amplify the speaker you are directly facing, making it much easier to hear a specific conversation amongst the noise.
Automatic location settings: Hearing aids are now incorporating machine learning along with GPS to detect your location and the preferred listening settings across these locations. This eliminates the need for you to manually switch to different listening settings as you enter familiar locations with specific hearing challenges.
Hearing Aids for Active Lifestyles
The beauty of new hearing aids is that they can be programmed to enhance your lifestyle. If you enjoy biking hiking or just spending time outside soaking up the sun, there is a setting for you. If you love music, then there are settings to allow you to enjoy the nuance of tone in your favorite musical works. A few of the ways that hearing aids support active lifestyles include:
Protection against the wind: Wind can be incredibly disruptive for hearing aid users. So much that many active people quickly abandon their favorite outdoor activities when they come to rely on these devices. However, this concern is quickly becoming one of the past with new suppression features for the sound of the wind. Hearing aids are now able to absorb and amplify the sounds from your environment without picking up the distracting sound of the wind.
Water resistance: If you live in a humid environment, it’s surprising how fast moisture can build up on your hearing aids, leading to the risk of a short circuit. However, now many hearing aids offer water resistance so you can stay active and sweat while eliminating the risk of water damage.
Stay Active with Hearing Aids!
Don’t let hearing aids become a barrier to an active lifestyle! To find out more contact us to schedule a hearing aid consultation. We can present all available options and help you find the best options for you!