Hearing aids have come a long way over the past decade. They were originally very boring, bulky and served a very clear purpose, but as technology has improved, so have hearing aids.
Picking a hearing aid is never an easy task especially with all the different shapes and sizes available, but now that hearing aid technology is advancing at such a fast pace, we’re starting to see some very unique and interesting features attached to hearing aids that could make it even more difficult to pick your perfect hearing aid.
So in this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most interesting and useful features that you’ll find in hearing aids and which ones you should consider.
Direct Audio Input
Musicians are no strangers to hearing loss, especially those that perform at concerts and loud music venues. This is why they need to wear hearing plugs that protect their ears from damage. However, music lovers that do eventually suffer hearing loss will find that it’s often frustrating to listen to music with hearing aids on, but that’s when a direct audio input feature can help. This is essentially a plug or a cable that can connect directly to your audio devices, essentially passing the audio through your hearing aids and treating them like headphones.
Masking Features
If you suffer from tinnitus then a masking feature will come in handy. Hearing loss and tinnitus are often related, so if you have hearing loss there’s a good chance that you also suffer from tinnitus. With a masking feature, you can play white noise that will overwhelm the tinnitus sound, effectively getting rid of it or reducing its severity.
Profile Storage
If you use your hearing aids in dramatically different environments, then having a profile or setting storage feature can be a great help. Hearing aids typically come with adjustable settings that allow you to filter or enhance certain frequencies. With a storage feature, you can easily switch between these settings so that no matter what your surroundings are like, you’ll always get the best experience.
Wireless Features
Wireless hearing aids can be used to wirelessly communicate with devices such as a phone or even Bluetooth technology. For example, you could purchase hearing aids that allow you to answer calls on your phone or even play music from a relay. These are excellent for convenience and connectivity, but this technology is still in its early stages. You may want to speak to your audiologist to see if any of the hearing aids they offer come with wireless connectivity features.
The next time you speak to your audiologist about hearing aids, you may want to mention the features that you want in your hearing aid to see if they’re able to meet your needs. Many audiologists will pick a hearing aid and its features based on your lifestyle, but if there’s a very specific feature that you want then it’s best to speak directly to your audiologist and let them know.