The Advantages of Modern Hearing Aids

There has historically been a stigma concerning hearing loss and the use of hearing aids. It’s understandable. Many see wearing hearing aids as a sign of growing old and want to look and feel young. That’s why many of those with hearing loss shun hearing aids for years without realising how it can compromise their safety and quality of life.

Here’s a brief overview of modern hearing aids which may help to ease some of your concerns or those of your relatives who are in denial about hearing loss.

Range of Discreet Styles

Older hearing aids were typically bulky and uncomfortable. They stood proud of the ear and could make the wearer feel self-conscious. However, the good news for today’s hearing aid wearers is that in line with other electronic devices, hearing aids are much smaller. Technological innovations mean that some are virtually invisible. At the top end of the cost scale, Phonak’s Lyric is hidden deep in the ear canal. Your audiologist will be able to advise on the most suitable type of device for your hearing loss and lifestyle.

Sound Amplification and Noise Management

At its simplest, a hearing aid amplifies sound. However, the arrival of digital technology meant that hearing aids began to do this with more precision and sophistication. Each person’s hearing loss is unique, so when sound enters the hearing aid, it splits it into different frequency bands. Each one is amplified by the correct amount to return the user’s hearing to a normal level for that band. In short, they don’t make everything louder, just the essential parts. Modern digital hearing aids can distinguish between speech and ambient noise and process them accordingly.

AI and Automatic Programming in Modern Hearing Aids

If you listen to music, it’s helpful to turn off features that may misrepresent parts of that music as noise. In a quiet room, hearing aid users don’t need directional microphones or noise reduction like in a crowd at a football match. Advanced hearing devices let users change their settings with a simple button press or a smartphone application. The most technologically advanced hearing aids, such as Starkey’s Evolv AI, continuously monitor their environment and adjust settings smoothly and seamlessly as if by magic.

Tinnitus Masking Features

There are many connections between tinnitus and hearing loss. Wearing a modern hearing aid can effectively aid in tinnitus treatment. Although hearing aids should not be considered a cure, the British Tinnitus Association recommend trying them. Hearing devices help to facilitate normal communication between the ear and brain. Whilst the exact mechanism is not fully understood, many regard hearing aids as an effective way to relieve tinnitus. Hearing aid manufacturer Resound has included tinnitus sound generators in their hearing aids.

Rechargeable Batteries

Not everyone has nimble fingers, which can be a barrier to adopting hearing aids. For some, fiddling with hearing aid batteries can be off-putting. However, many modern hearing aids are rechargeable. The Widex Moment range of hearing aids comes complete with a stylish charger which enables you to wear the most discreet of hearing aids without any worries regarding battery life.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth hearing aids allow those with hearing loss to enjoy many things others take for granted. Some key benefits include watching television without cranking up the volume, having crystal-clear telephone conversations, and listening to music. Bluetooth-connected devices can stream sound from practically any audio source for a convenient, customised listening experience.

Smartphone Apps

Many hearing-related apps are available for smartphones, but for hearing aid users, those produced by manufacturers are the most useful and are available on both Apple and Android phones. Some features you can expect from hearing aid apps include fine sound adjustments, personalised settings, status checking for your hearing device, finding a lost hearing aid, keeping a hearing journal and communicating with your audiologist. Elsewhere hearing apps can monitor your health and well-being and even sound an alert if you fall, which is hugely reassuring for relatives.

Properly Fitted Hearing Aids are the Key

The most important consideration for any hearing aids is that they are correctly fitted and maintained. Please choose a professional audiologist with a total working knowledge of the products to support you. For advice on your hearing and the best hearing devices for your circumstances and lifestyle, find your nearest AIHHP Centre of Excellence here.