Hearing aid technology has advanced significantly in recent decades, but mainly hearing aids have always had four essential components: a microphone, a processor, a receiver, and a power supply. The microphone collects up noises from your surroundings and sends them to the processor. The processor boosts the signal and sends it to the receiver, which amplifies it and sends it to the ear canal. (Information source: https://www.theeardepot.com/)
The entire system is powered by a battery. Depending on the complexity of the processor, hearing aid technology can be classified as basic or advanced. If you are experiencing any issues with your hearing, you can consult a hearing aid practitioner and they can guide you whether or not you would require any hearing aid.
Advanced Hearing Aid Technologies
As technology advances, digital hearing aids become more automated and feature-rich, allowing you to converse more effectively in tough listening conditions. Hearing aids with new technologies have higher price points and more benefits. Advanced hearing aids are more likely to have the below mentioned qualities.
- Bluetooth Connectivity- Bluetooth compatibility is a wireless function that allows hearing aids to connect to Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and other devices. As the signal bypasses the microphone and enters the hearing aid's processor directly, Bluetooth technology can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and remove feedback from the microphone. Interference is also less likely to occur with a Bluetooth connection.
- Highest Level of Frequency Response and Sound Processing- Every pair of hearing aids process sound, meaning when sound enters the device, it must be divided into bands of sound (also known as "channels") and digitised before it could be enhanced. Advanced hearing aids can easily band sounds that can be enhanced for your specific hearing loss problem.
- Artificial Intelligence- Some high-end hearing aids feature artificial intelligence (AI), which allows them to analyse a sound using a deep neural network. By maintaining volume control settings and programme preferences for specific sound environments, these hearing aids can begin to make modifications automatically when the environment is recognised. A DNN essentially allows hearing aids to begin to replicate how your brain would hear a sound if you weren't deaf.
- Applications- The majority of today's modern hearing aids have smartphone apps that allow users to make modifications, contact their hearing care physician, and track battery life. Most notably, some of them function similarly to assistive listening devices, channelling phone calls and other sound sources directly to a user's hearing aids. Some apps can also translate various languages and convert speech to text.
- Rechargeable Batteries- Hearing aids are often equipped with rechargeable batteries, which eliminate the need to replace small button batteries every few days or weeks. In the coming years, it's expected that most hearing aid devices will have these features.
- Tinnitus Masking Features- You can also experience tinnitus masking features on the most advanced hearing aids. They can be programmed by an audiologist or other hearing care professional to generate sounds that can mask the tinnitus sound or ringing in the ears. However, for many people with tinnitus, merely enhancing the noises you've been missing with a hearing aid will eventually help reduce tinnitus, which is commonly caused by age-related hearing loss.
Conclusion
Hearing aids play a huge role in helping individuals with hearing disabilities to hear loud and clear sounds without any issues. You can consult with an ear specialist and get recommendations on the best and advanced hearing aid suitable for you.
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