Find the Best Hearing Aid for Your Unique Type of Hearing Loss
Hearing aid technology has improved dramatically over the years and today’s devices fit seamlessly into modern life. From small and discreet to high-powered and packed with features, our clinic has a solution that meets your hearing loss needs, lifestyle and budget.
What to Consider When Choosing a Hearing Aid
No two cases of hearing loss are exactly alike. Everyone experiences sound differently and choosing the best hearing aid depends on your unique type of hearing loss, lifestyle, budget and preferences. While there are several different levels of technology on the market, hearing aids typically fall into one of four categories: basic, standard, advanced and premium.
- Basic hearing aids are best for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and tend to be the most affordable option. These devices provide basic sound amplification without any extra features and technology.
- Standard hearing aids offer slightly more advanced sound quality and noise reduction. These are a good option for people who occasionally struggle with background noise.
- Advanced hearing aids are best suited for those who live a more active lifestyle. These are generally better designed for life on the go and typically come equipped with Bluetooth capabilities.
- Premium hearing aids provide the most dynamic sound experience in a variety of environments. They come with the most features and most advanced technology.
The best way to find the right level of technology for your needs is to schedule a hearing evaluation. This allows your provider to get to the root of your hearing loss symptoms and recommend the best hearing aid for your needs and preferences.
Types of Hearing Aid Technology
Rechargeable Hearing Aids
Traditionally, hearing aids had disposable batteries that needed to be changed regularly. Rechargeable hearing aids offer the convenience of overnight charging, just as you would recharge your smartphone or tablet device. They’re great for people who live active, on-the-go lives that don’t want to deal with the hassle of disposable batteries. Many manufacturers also offer cases that charge your devices so you can power up anywhere.
Rechargeable hearing aids have grown in popularity, and as a result, there are many varieties available on the market. Keep in mind that most rechargeable devices come in a behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE) style hearing aid, and you likely won’t find them in smaller, canal-worn styles. Additionally, rechargeable batteries typically can’t be removed, so you may be without your hearing aids if the battery component needs repairs. Most models generally take about three hours to recharge and can last a full day.
Bluetooth
If you frequently use a cellphone, television or other electronics, you may find Bluetooth hearing aids incredibly useful. Hearing aids with Bluetooth technology can wirelessly connect to a variety of devices, allowing you to enjoy enhanced sound quality directly from the source.
Bluetooth is available in most styles of hearing aids, including BTE, ITE and in the canal (ITC), and each manufacturer provides a different array of products and accessories that are Bluetooth-enabled. Wireless connectivity makes it easier for hearing aid users to utilize the various technologies in their everyday lives, whether you’re making phone calls, taking a virtual meeting or watching TV.
Bluetooth-compatible hearing aids sometimes have limited use of the microphone volume when connected to a device, making it hard to hear the environment around you. Bluetooth hearing aids may also require setup before use, so talk with your hearing healthcare provider if you need assistance.
Smartphone Connectivity and Apps
Hearing aids that offer Bluetooth typically come with smartphone compatibility. This feature allows you to stream calls and audio from your smartphone directly to your hearing aids. Smartphone compatible technology transforms your hearing aids into headphones, making them a great choice for hands-free phone calls.
Many hearing aid manufacturers offer smartphone apps that sync with your hearing devices. If you’re constantly moving from one environment to the next, apps can make adjusting your settings a breeze. Typically, they allow you to discreetly adjust the volume, save sound settings for specific situations and some even offer sound therapy for tinnitus.
Water-Resistant Hearing Aids
Hearing aids work best when they are clean and dry, as moisture can damage the sensitive electronic components of a device. Sweat, humidity and rainy weather can impact your hearing aids’ performance, but luckily, technology has evolved to help make them more resilient against water damage.
Most hearing aids that offer protection from moisture are water-resistant, but not 100% waterproof. Despite not being truly waterproof, water-resistant devices can still dramatically lower the chance of damage when exposed to small amounts of moisture. They are excellent choices for people who enjoy water-related hobbies like fishing, live in humid climates or who tend to sweat more heavily.
Hearing aids are given IP ratings to determine their resistance to dust and water. When evaluating hearing aids, talk with your provider about your lifestyle and habits. They will be able to help you choose a device with the best IP rating to suit your needs.
Additional Hearing Technology Features and Benefits
Sleek, Discreet Design
People often assume hearing aids are cumbersome and clunky, but thanks to technological advancements, even many high-powered, outside-the-ear devices are sleek and hard to notice. A number of the industry’s top manufacturers offer invisible-in-canal (IIC) devices that are virtually undetectable and custom-molded to fit your ear anatomy. Though they provide exceptional sound quality, IIC devices are usually only recommended for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Enhanced Speech Comprehension and Sound Quality
Today’s hearing aids don’t just amplify sound, they provide an immersive listening experience as close to natural hearing as possible. As technology has evolved, hearing devices have gotten better at differentiating speech from background noise, ensuring those with hearing loss don’t miss out on moments of connection with others. Many hearing aids offer various settings that can adjust depending on the wearer’s surroundings.
Tinnitus Masking Features
If you struggle with tinnitus symptoms, a number of hearing aids offer features that can help mask ringing, buzzing and clicking sounds in the ears. These masking features are known as tinnitus sound generators (TSG) and they work by emitting a soft, white noise that can partially or completely mask tinnitus symptoms. As we mentioned above, many manufacturers also offer apps that provide sound therapy for tinnitus.
Have you ever noticed how many public places seem designed without considering how we actually hear? That moment when you’re waiting for your flight and can barely make out the gate announcement, or when you’re watching a muted TV in a waiting room, wishing you could listen in privately.
Transform How You Hear with Auracast Bluetooth
Auracast™ expands what your Bluetooth devices can do by letting them receive audio broadcasts from various sources around you. This means you can connect to public audio systems without any special equipment or complicated setup. For hearing aid wearers, this adds a new depth to your devices, now serving as personal audio receivers for shared broadcasts. Whether you’re attending a conference, catching a flight or cheering on your favorite sports team, Auracast creates a more personalized listening experience wherever you go.
What is Auracast?
Auracast is essentially a new way for Bluetooth to work in community places. Unlike traditional Bluetooth that connects one device to another privately, Auracast allows a single audio source to broadcast to multiple listeners at the same time.
This technology turns everyday locations into smart listening environments. A restaurant could broadcast TV audio you tune into with your hearing aids or earbuds. An airport could send gate announcements directly to your devices. Movie theaters could provide audio in multiple languages you select based on your preference.
How Does This Technology Work?
Auracast builds on standard Bluetooth technology but adds broadcasting capability. When a venue sets up an Auracast transmitter, it creates an audio hotspot that your devices can pair with. Your Auracast-compatible hearing aids or earbuds scan for these available broadcasts, showing you a list of options, similar to searching nearby Wi-Fi networks. You simply select the broadcast you want and control the volume through your device.
The system uses Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) Audio technology optimized for public spaces, providing improved sound quality compared to older Bluetooth connections. It typically works within a range just over 300 feet from the transmitter, making it practical for most indoor venues and smaller outdoor settings. Multiple listeners can connect simultaneously without reducing sound quality, whether you’re with a small group or a crowd.
What Are the Benefits of Auracast?
Auracast offers several advantages for hearing aid wearers in public areas. In addition to a more private listening experience, this technology offers numerous benefits, including:
- Direct audio reception: Receive announcements, TV audio and presentations directly with your hearing aids.
- Personalized volume control: Adjust sound levels to your specific hearing needs regardless of the projected volume.
- Battery efficiency: Uses less power than continuously streaming from a personal device.
- Accessibility: Works across various environments.
- No extras required: Connects using Auracast-compatible hearing aids or earbuds.
- Multiple language options: Select your preferred language for broadcasts where available.
Auracast makes it easier to hear clearly in shared spaces by sending the audio straight to your devices, giving you more sound control in those everyday environments.
Deciding if Auracast Technology is Right for You
Connecting to Auracast can be a beneficial feature for many individuals, but whether it makes sense for you depends on your hearing needs, where you spend your time and how comfortable you are with technology. Your hearing professional can walk you through what it does and talk with you about whether it fits into your day-to-day life. At your next visit, consider asking if Auracast-ready hearing aids would suit your needs and how they might improve your listening experience.
The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.