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Hearing aid technology to watch for in 2021

Hearing aids have rapidly advanced to benefit wearers more than ever before.

It used to be more difficult to decide on the best hearing aids. Devices had more limitations, and it was often necessary to balance potential trade-offs and benefits when selecting the most appropriate hearing aids.


As hearing aid technology progresses, the devices are becoming more helpful to a broader range of hearing challenges and lifestyles. Hearing aids now have fewer trade-offs and more benefits.


Looking to the future, hearing aid technology will continue to progress. These improved devices can better address individual challenges, making them easier to use than the hearing aids of the past – and with better results.


A brief history of hearing aids

Hearing technology has advanced considerably over the past few decades. 


We went from analog hearing aids that simply amplified any – and all – noise, to digital devices capable of making real-time adjustments to
help the brain filter and prioritize sound signals


This progressive technology not only marks an incredible change for wearers of hearing technology, but it’s also a major change for hearing professionals.


Once upon a time, audiologists had to use screwdrivers to physically make adjustments to hearing aids. Now, adjustments are programmed digitally for a greater range and precision, and this helps us ensure your hearing aids are perfectly suited to your needs. We still have the screwdrivers at our clinic, but they aren’t used very often anymore (if at all).


Hearing aids are no longer the bulky and constantly-ringing devices your grandparents wore. Modern hearing aids are small and sleek, and they sport incredible features like feedback cancellation, noise reduction, and speech enhancement. 


Major advancements in hearing aids

Modern hearing aids perform better and in a wider variety of environments and settings than ever before, thanks to some significant advancements in technology. 


Control of feedback

Improved feedback management systems work to prevent that annoying whistling sound caused by acoustic loops, without affecting the amplification of incoming sounds. This allows wearers to use their hearing aids in previously challenging environments, such as while wearing a ski helmet or riding in a vehicle.


Automatic adjustments

Some hearing aids can learn the wearer’s sound preferences and automatically adjust sound levels when a change in the sound environment is detected. This reduces the need for manual adjustments. Wearers no longer need to stop what they are doing to change the settings on their devices. Instead, the hearing aids are becoming a “part” of people, intuiting their needs and correcting accordingly.


Increased connectivity

Wireless and Bluetooth capability allows modern hearing aids to connect to smartphones, televisions, and other connected home devices such as lights, doorbells and smoke detectors. And the prevalence of this technology means that Bluetooth is not just available in high-end devices – it is now available in more affordable models.


Durability and size

Advances in hearing technology have not been limited to the tiny computers that control the hearing aids. Improvements to the materials that house them have allowed for increased water and shock resistance, making the devices more durable and reliable. 

 

Hearing aid manufacturers also continue to create smaller and more powerful devices, and some can sit right inside your ear canal, making them virtually invisible to others.

 

Looking forward to the future

Even more profound innovations for hearing technology are expected in the coming years to seamlessly integrate hearing aids into the wearer’s lifestyle.


Integrate multiple senses and sensors

Hearing aids are designed around sound, but future technology will likely incorporate additional senses. This will help the devices to better adapt in different environments. For example, eye movements can be used to focus hearing aids to specific directions. The devices can prioritize sounds coming from the direction you’re looking at.


Going further, biometric sensors could be used to monitor chronic conditions or general health by monitoring and tracking movement, heart rate, body temperature, stress hormone levels, and brain activity. 


Faster processing

Speed is an important factor in hearing technology. Because hearing aids haven’t been able to process input as quickly as the human brain can, wearers often experience a “comb-filter effect,” which distorts the sound and makes it difficult to understand. 


Emerging technology affords a dramatically increased processing speed for near-instantaneous sound delivery, practically eliminating hearing aid delay. 


Even better connectivity

While Bluetooth technology has become quite common in hearing aids, technology is advancing to further connect wearers with their environments and change how they interact with other technologies.


For example, hearing aids will connect to voice assistants, like Alexa or Google Home, and receive a signal directly from a smart device to make phone calls or play music. 


Coupled with a biometric sensor, a hearing aid could detect a drop in heart rate or a loss of consciousness and call 9-1-1 or contact a loved one, all on its own. This level of connectivity could be lifesaving. 

 

Information for audiologists

The increased connectivity and “smart” technology of hearing aids will also make it easier for hearing professionals to help their patients. 

 

Audiologists will be able to use the data from the devices to understand the benefits or challenges of the technology, and more effectively treat individual hearing conditions.


Adaptable to a variety of environments

As audiologists can customize devices to their individual patients, the technology will automatically adapt to new and changing environments. As they receive feedback from the devices, and their patients, clinicians use the data to improve the performance of this incredible technology.



Find the best technology for you

Hearing loss can be frustrating, exhausting and isolating. Fortunately, great progress has been made in hearing aid technology to better the lives of people with hearing challenges and help them feel like themselves again. 

 

Hearing aids have advanced significantly, with improved durability, water resistance, longer battery life, enhanced sound quality in difficult environments, and seamless connectivity to other devices. 


Book a hearing test
to understand your hearing health. Then we’ll find the best technology for you.



18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 
18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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