Illini Hearing - Champaign and Mahomet, IL

Man swims with his grandson thanks to new hearing aids that are waterproof.

Things are different since your great, great grandpa held an ear trumpet up to his ear. Even 10 years ago, hearing aids weren’t capable of doing the things they can do today. Activities that were impossible a few years in the past are now possible due to developments in hearing aid tech. Just consider these seven things hearing aids are currently able to do.

1. Prevent Accidental Damage While Exercising

Jogging or riding a bike with a hearing aid in would have been unheard of in the past. When you are moving around, hearing aids can fall out even high quality ones. Today whether you are an athlete or novice you can exercise while wearing your hearing aids.

The evolution here is not in the technology, though. Hearing aids that fall out can still get broken or lost. Innovation wins out with a straightforward concept: hearing aid retention cords. 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. Hearing aid retention cords area smart choice for kids, too.

2. Resist Water

While it is true most hearing aids are water resistant, they still won’t do well when fully submerged. Waterproof hearing aids and a few accessories will be necessary if you want to swim with your hearing aid.
Raincoats are available for your hearing aids. Waterproof Sleeves fit securely over the devices to protect them from water damage while still allowing you to 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. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, some amount of water will get inside the case. The dehumidifier dries the units out without damaging their delicate electronic components.

3. Pair With Your Smartphone

Now when your phone rings you won’t need to take your hearing aids out. Not all hearing aid brands do this, however. 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, as well. Sound from your MP3 player or TV can be picked up by a hearing aid that is equipped with Bluetooth technology.

Also, for cell phones or landlines, these hearing aids have a phone function. Signals from your phone can be heard in your hearing aid thanks to a telecoil.

4. Learn

That’s right, hearing aids have machine learning features. Some devices will make volume adjustments depending on the environment by remembering your preference and you don’t have to do anything.

They can also include multiple programs so you can store a particular setup in the memory and push a button to load it when you need it.

5. Make the Ringing Stop

For lots of people tinnitus and hearing loss are closely linked. Hearing aids that come with tinnitus maskers or sound generators will play a low-level sound in the background that masks the ringing, so you hear sounds clearer. The masking sound cancels out the tinnitus, and that ringing goes away. Tinnitus masking is a particular feature, though, and not available from all brands. Make certain you ask for it if you are shopping for hearing aids.

6. Store Data

A compelling 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.

The advantage is your audiologist or hearing aid retailer can use this data to make crucial modifications to the devices to enhance their sound or give you insight to go on when purchasing new hearing aids.

7. Go Remote

You can quickly adjust the volume, change the program, or use your hearing aid as a Bluetooth streaming device if you have a remote.

Not all of these features are new, but they all let you do things with your hearing aids that were impossible years ago. Hearing aid tech is always progressing, too. Be sure to check out the latest features when you’re purchasing a new hearing aid. To see them all, schedule an appointment with a hearing expert right away.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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