The Best Hearing Aid Technology

When your hearing deteriorates, your ENT doctor can recommend wearing hearing aids to amplify sounds. However, if you’ve never needed hearing aids before, you may not be sure of how to proceed with the choice of the most suitable model. Indeed, hearing aids vary greatly in shape, size and features. While all can provide an adequate level of sound amplification, gaining a full understanding of the technology available can help you to make an informed decision. 

The groundbreaking wireless Bluetooth streaming hearing aids

Bluetooth streaming is not an option that is only available for your everyday tech, such as your TV or your smartphone. Some inside-the-ear (ITE) and behind-the-ear (BTE) models come directly with Bluetooth connectivity to stream audio directly into the hearing aids. 

It can be a nice add-on when you’re watching TV, for instance, as you can receive the sound directly inside your ear. However, with small ITE hearing aids, you may need to wear a streamer, either in your pocket or around your neck to support the feature. 

Smart hearing aids that connect to your phone

Typically, changing the settings of your hearing aids require manual manipulation from the wearer. Some smaller devices can only be adjusted by your ENT doctor via a software tool. However, manufacturers are providing new options to tech-savvy users by enabling hearing aids to connect to your smartphone. Indeed, smartphone connectivity allows you to adjust settings on the go via an app. In other words, you only need a few clicks to achieve hearing clarity in most environments and switch smoothly between quiet and loud background noise recognition. 

Additionally, as remote-control connectivity goes, a call-to-text app can transcript a call to your smartphone into text in almost real-time, which lets you keep track of the conversation. 

Small and almost invisible and elegant design

Hearing aids are getting sleeker and smaller. Manufacturers now offer elegant and small ITE devices, as well as completely-in-the-canal (CIC) and invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) earpieces that act and feel like an attractive technology piece. If you’re worried about visible and ugly hearing aids, the future is now sleek and pretty. 

Artificial intelligence and hearing aids

Can AI make a difference to your hearing experience? Manufacturers have introduced AI learning to help hearing aids automatically adjust to your specific preferences as soon as they identify the type of noise environment. In the long term, AI development will reduce the need for remote-controlled adjusting – or even manual settings. Not only can it save you a lot of time, but it also ensures a smooth and natural hearing experience throughout the day. 

Rechargeable batteries are a must

If you’ve seen your grandparents using hearing aids in the past, you are probably familiar with the small pill-shaped batteries that needed to be changed regularly. Environmentally-conscious manufacturers are developing rechargeable batteries. While not all hearing aids models are fitted with a battery you can recharge, the trend is growing rapidly. From a user’s perspective, a rechargeable input is not only easier to handle, but it also reduces the need for repairs. Indeed, the cover is less likely to develop cracks if you don’t need to open the earpiece all the time. 

Masking tinnitus for new hearing experience

Tinnitus is a hearing disorder that can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as stress or an ear infection. While, in some cases, tinnitus has been seen to disappear from itself, it is generally an incurable disorder. However, more and more hearing aids offer tinnitus support by masking the constant ringing in your ears. Your ENT doctor can recommend a suitable tinnitus masking model. 

Noise improvements for wearers

Hearing aids have added a lot of new features dedicated to targeting your noise experience as a user. Earpieces that are typically exposed to external elements, such as BTE and ITE models that can capture wind noises can now be fitted with wind noise reduction features, letting you enjoy the day without unnecessary disruptions. 

Additional noise reduction features also help to cut unwanted noise, such as digital noise reduction, and remove unnecessary background noises. The impulse noise reduction is particularly helpful to cut down disturbing background noises, such as keyboard typing. 

Finally, directional microphone features can help users to better focus on specific sounds in a loud background, which can be a helpful addition to hold a conversation inside a hectic office, for instance. 

It’s fair to say that people who use hearing aids have a vast range of options. Depending on your hearing preferences and your communication needs, you can choose the suitable features for you. If you want to know more about hearing aid technology or understand how advanced features can transform your hearing experience, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a specialist ENT doctor who can help you with your decision. Call the team at ENT Specialists at (402) 983-9948 to learn more about the right hearing aid options for you.