The last 200 years have seen many advancements in hearing aids, hinging on growing technology that seems to result from the hard work of committed scientists who have a hearing impaired loved one in their life. Take Alexander Graham Bell, for instance. His mom had hearing loss, as did his wife who was deaf. Here we give you some other little-known facts when it comes to hearing aids.
1. Hearing aids used to come in just one color: beige. This helped the hearing aid blend into the ear better. While practical and discrete, today’s young hearing aid wearers are seeking out the bold and beautiful, with devices that come in a rainbow of bright colors. This is one way people can embrace their devices and feel proud.
2. Digital hearing aids have only come out in the last 20 years or so. Their emergence has helped reduce the feedback, echoes, and background noises that can be distracting to users. These annoyances were considered an unfortunate side effect of the older technologies, contributing to the difficult time picking up sound.
3. Hearing aids and wireless devices go hand in hand today, thanks to state of the art technology like Bluetooth. This technology sends direct signals from anything from a smart phone to an MP3 player to a TV.
4. Hearing aids are the smallest and most compact they’re ever looked. This is a relief from the large, cumbersome and uncomfortable hearing aids of years past that weighed several pounds. The earliest versions couldn’t even be worn solely on the ear because there were so many components to it. Their sound amplification abilities left a lot to be desired as well. Users can now enjoy smaller and more light weight versions that weigh in at just a few ounces.
5. Simple sound amplification is not enough for modern hearing aids to be effective. That’s why they now have the capability of enhancing and clarifying sound for a much better listening experience.
6. Did you know there’s such a thing as water resistant and waterproof hearing aids? With your active lifestyle, you will appreciate that water resistant hearing aids can withstand low levels of humidity and moisture, and waterproof hearing aids can withstand moisture that may occur as a result of a shower or a dip in the swimming pool.
7. Induction loops were invented to help people hear better in crowds. They can more accurately pick up announcements in crowded places or in corporate meeting conferences, minus all that background noise and frequency distortion. This can be helpful in airports, stadiums, and other public transportation areas.
8. Many hearing aids, now manufactured with rechargeable technology to better manage upkeep costs, allow the user to forget about having to replace so many batteries all the time.
9. Don’t think you can just buy a hearing aid at the big box store and bring it home. A big part of the process is the programming that must take place by a certified audiologist. This helps the hearing aid to automatically revert to the most comfortable settings that the user enjoys, based on previous use and interaction with the surroundings.
10. Hearing aids don’t just concentrate on the amplification of sound. They often times have special components like tinnitus therapy for much-needed relief for users who suffer from constant ear ringing.
These interesting facts hopefully have enlightened you about hearing aids and the technology that comes with them.