Hearing aids have undergone significant changes over the past three decades, but not everyone is aware of the extent of these changes.
There is still some hesitancy when it comes to investing in hearing aids. Often, it’s a fear of shame or embarrassment, and for others, it’s the worry that the hearing aids will stand out and look obvious when worn.
These two attitudes to hearing aids are common but couldn’t be more untrue in the reality of modern hearing aids. Here are five ways hearing aids have changed in the last three decades.
- Advanced sound management
With modern hearing aids, the devices use sophisticated algorithms and directional microphones in order to manage sound environments automatically and without the need for manual adjustment.
The devices can often differentiate between what is speech and what is background noise. It can effectively reduce wind interference, suppress feedback, and even distinguish between speech and music.
A lot of this was impossible with older models that had basic amplification.
- Seamless wireless connectivity
A lot of today’s hearing aids offer Bluetooth connectivity, which allows users to stream audio directly from their smartphones, computers, tablets, or TVs without the need for an intermediary device. It goes straight to the hearing aids without any delay.
That means users can listen to music, watch their favorite television shows, and answer phone calls.
These settings on modern devices can all be adjusted via dedicated mobile apps too, providing a lot more control and tailoring than many of the older devices couldn’t do.
- Miniaturization and discreet design
Technological advances have led to more features and engineering progression for hearing aids. With transistors and small microprocessors being possible, hearing aids have become a lot smaller over the decades, and now many are nearly invisible when it comes to their appearance.
A lot of which can fit entirely within the ear canal, instead of appearing on the outside. This miniturization, combined with a wealth of design options, has certainly helped reduce the stigma that comes with wearing hearing aids.
- Transition from analog to digital processing
Possibly the most significant of changes and shifts within hearing aid devices is the move from analog to digital signal processing. This is something that began in the mid-1990s. Analog aids simply amplified all sound, but with digital aids, it converted sound into digital signals, which allowed for precise and more selective amplification.
Not only that, but it helped with noise reduction and much clearer sound quality, which was tailored to the individuals’ hearing loss profile.
- Smart features and health integration
There is now a wealth of smart features and health integration features that make hearing aids some of the best technology on the market for helping with hearing.
Modern hearing aids adapt automatically to changing sound environments and learn user preferences over time, thanks to artificial intelligence being used increasingly in these devices too.
Some advanced models even have integrated sensors to detect falls and track physical activity or monitor health metrics.
It’s all these advancements that are making hearing aids a much more interesting and attractive option for those who require the devices for their hearing needs.
