Advanced Hearing Aid Features

Thanks to tremendous advances in technology, particularly digital and wireless technology, hearing aids have never been more capable of creating a comfortable, consistent and dramatically enhanced listening experience for those with hearing loss. Even basic hearing aids have features like noise reduction, directional microphones and feedback management systems, but advanced hearing adds have even more to offer in the way of automation and customizable features. Check out the kinds of technology you’ll enjoy with an advanced hearing aid.

More Channels

Basic hearing aids feature only a few channels to separately process sound signals by high and low frequency or pitch. Advanced hearing aids often feature at least eight or more separate channels, further splitting frequency ranges and allowing you to more precisely customize them

based on your needs and environment.

Wind Reduction

Not only do advanced hearing aids feature directional microphones and digital noise reduction systems, but they can be customized with a feature known as wind reduction. This feature is especially important for outdoor enthusiasts who spend a lot of time in windy environments. A wind reduction feature detects the presence of wind blowing across the microphone and reduces its amplification, reducing its interference with other sounds and creating a more comfortable listening experience for the wearer.

Bluetooth Compatibility

If you’ve used Bluetooth to talk on your phone using only an earpiece or to transfer data wirelessly from one electronic device to another, you’re already familiar with its capability. When this technology is included in hearing aids processors, it enables them to be wirelessly connected to mobile phones and other devices, receiving signals that bypass the microphone for a cleaner listening experience. Many hearing aid models require an intermediary device known as a streamer to enable this connection. Basically, it’s a step up from what telecoil and frequency modulation (FM) systems have to offer.

Data Logging

This interesting feature records your daily activity and preferences for volume and other settings in particular listening environments. During your next visit with a hearing health professional, this data is retrieved from the hearing aid and can be programmed in for a more personalized hearing experience.

Learning

Some advanced hearing aids feature the next step to data logging. Not only will a learning features log data about your setting preferences, it will begin to use this information to automatically anticipate your needs and adjust to each environment. This reduces the number of manual adjustments and even programming required.

Binaural Processing

A newer feature designed for those with bilateral hearing loss, binaural processing allows a set of hearing aids to communicate, exchanging settings and signals to one another. This is especially helpful in synchronizing the listening experience evenly, such as when hearing aids are receiving streamed audio signals from another device.

Pros and Cons of Advanced Hearing Aids

Hearing aids have more features than ever before. The more advanced the model, the more it can be customized to meet each individual’s unique hearing needs and preferences. Along with advanced technology, however, comes an advanced price. At the same time, if your hearing loss requires specialized settings and you have poor dexterity, you may need the automation capability of a more advanced hearing aid. There are a wide range of options, so be sure to talk with your hearing health professional about which hearing aid is best for you.