The last few decades have proven that hearing aids can always evolve to meet the demands of its wearers. From advanced noise reduction to Bluetooth connectivity, hearing aid features are designed to enhance hearing clarity and convenience for the wearer. Whether you’re new to hearing aids or looking to upgrade your current device, understanding the available features can help you make an informed decision about which hearing aid is right for you. Bay Area Hearing Care stays up to date with the latest hearing aid technologies. As features change and grow, it’s important to understand their effects on patients.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the most notable technology change in modern hearing devices. Wireless freedom is something that was talked about in 2014 with flagship models. Before then, it was more of an experiment with limited results. Now, the leading hearing aids on the market are expected to ship with Bluetooth functionality. That includes all of the features and benefits of the updated Bluetooth versions. Both version four and five of Bluetooth enabled hearing aids show stunning range and quality of life features. Adding Bluetooth is no longer a beta test, and has long since moved to a must-have feature for all devices.
Smartphone Software
Smartphones are advanced, and can now run the same computing tasks as laptops. They became the perfect candidate for hearing aid software. The software is an app built specifically to take advantage of smartphone strengths. This includes wireless features, gestures, touch controls and a visual equalizer. Most leading hearing aid companies have their own proprietary apps that are optimized to work with their own models. There is support for both iPhone and Android devices, even if they are running old versions of their operating systems. Before purchasing a hearing aid, check for support with your current hardware and software.
Batteries
Power saving optimizations and rechargeable batteries are advancements that should not be ignored. Both of these features work together to provide the best all day experience possible. Hearing aid wearers no longer have to worry about the intricacies of changing a device battery. And for wearers that want to stick to the old protocol, standard disposable batteries are now better than ever. Zinc-air batteries are packaged better, with recognizable sizes and colors. Big improvements are still expected as brands find new and exciting ways to maximize battery life.
Audio Quality
Speaker and mic quality are the most important improvements a hearing device can make. The biggest advantage in this area went to behind-the-ear hearing aids. Their larger size allowed manufacturers to brute force the hardware for better performance. Modern hearing aids are less dependent on the hardware by splitting the difference with the software. That means size no longer matters when it comes to the audio and mic quality of a device. This has led to major improvements in how hearing aids handle sound in multiple environments.