Reclaim Lost Hearing
New tech has made hearing aids better than ever
By FamilyFeatures.comIf you find yourself constantly turning up the volume on the TV or asking people to repeat themselves, you’re not alone. In fact, one in five Americans ages 12 and older — nearly 50 million people — have hearing loss, according to the Hearing Health Foundation.
It takes 10 years, on average, for someone with hearing loss to seek help, according to a study published in the International Journal of Audiology. That’s 10 years of missed conversations with a spouse, compliments from a friend, secrets from a child and laughs with your family, all because many people aren’t sure where to go for care or have misconceptions about hearing aids.
As more people, especially younger people, are diagnosed with hearing loss, treatment has become easier to access. Hearing care professionals and hearing aid manufacturers have adopted advanced technologies and novel forms of care to treat an evolving patient population. Technology advancements that can help improve your hearing and quality of life include:
It takes 10 years, on average, for someone with hearing loss to seek help
Clearer, fuller, richer sound
Newer hearing aids incorporate technology that enable advanced hearing capabilities, helping you understand more speech and hear the finer details in social and professional settings.
Rechargeable batteries
Continually changing out old hearing aid batteries for new ones is a thing of the past. Now you can purchase hearing aids with a rechargeable battery (with some lasting up to 30 hours) and a portable charger.
Entertainment on demand
Wireless connectivity and Bluetooth technology have made their way to hearing aids. You can now stream movies, TV shows and music more directly to your hearing aids. Some hearing aids, such as the Beltone Amaze, are fully compatible with both Apple and Android devices.
Personal control
Remote fine-tuning allows you to request and receive adjustments to your hearing aids from the comfort of your own home on a computer or from a smartphone. Also, there are apps that allow users to select personalized, preset environments, such as a restaurant or the outdoors.
Personalized style
Like having your own stylist, hearing care professionals are typically experts in fitting hearing aids to meet your needs and tastes. Today’s hearing aids vary in size, color and special features so you can blend in or stand out.
Locate lost hearing aids
This is a feature you’ll never want to use, but will be thankful to have should the need arise. Through the use of apps, you can track your hearing aids if you misplace them.
-
Aging gracefully
-
Share this story: