New Advances Improve Hearing Aids
Microchips. Digital processing. Computerized analysis.
Those aren’t the features of the newest smartphone —
they’re the technologies available in modern hearing aids.
About four out of five Americans who could benefit from
a hearing aid don’t use one. If you’re among them, it may be
time to reconsider. Assistive devices have come a long way
since the vacuum tubes and heavy batteries your
grandparents used.
The latest models are smaller and less visible. Designs with plastic
cases that rest behind the ear are recommended for children
because they are easily adjusted as the child grows. But now,
most models for adults are nearly invisible, fitting partially
or completely within the outer ear or ear canal. Some are
even surgically attached to your skull or a bone in your
middle ear and can be worn all the time.
Your doctor or audiologist
can implant extended-wear hearing aids directly into your
ear canals, and then you can wear them continuously for
several months. Their design protects against moisture from
sweating, swimming and showering, and they amplify only the sounds you want to hear.
Now, many
hearing aids have a directional microphone. Switch it on so
that sounds in front of you — say, a person speaking — will sound louder than noise behind you. Digital hearing aids
allow more precise adjustment. Programmable models save
settings for different listening environments, from a quiet
home to a loud party, so that you can transition with ease to loop you in to clear sound.
About two-thirds of hearing
aids now come equipped with a telecoil. This small, magnetic
coil acts like a wireless antenna. Using it, you receive sound
through the circuits of the hearing aid. Landline telephones and some
cellphones let you hear clearly using this technology. What’s
more, many churches, performance halls and other public
places now use what’s called an induction loop to broadcast
directly to your hearing aid.
If you’re having trouble hearing, check with your doctor or
an audiologist. He or she can help pinpoint the cause of your
problem and choose the hearing aid that’s best for you.
If you experience symptoms of hearing loss, call
812-376-5373 to speak to a member of our team. Our
audiologists can evaluate your hearing and determine if
a hearing instrument is appropriate for you. We provide
innovative, effective and affordable digital hearing aids to
match your lifestyle and budget. To learn about our services,
visit www.crh.org/audiology.
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