While the hearing aid industry may not seem like an exciting high-tech field to someone unfamiliar with it, there has been so much innovation with these devices in recent years. 

From hearing aids that work with Android and iPhone apps to Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids that allow you to stream music or make a phone call, many advanced options are available on the market today.

FDA-approved OTC hearing aids are affordably priced and offer basic features to help those with mild hearing loss. However, when you work with a qualified audiologist, you can access better technology and convenient features that enhance your comfort and fit in with your current lifestyle. Read on to learn more about some of these new options.

Programmable Hearing Aids

As you go throughout your day, your surroundings may change several times. You might encounter background noise in a busy cafe, a quiet one-on-one conversation in your home, or the sounds of nature as you walk your pet in your Santa Monica neighborhood.

Programmable hearing aids have settings that you can adjust depending on your current situation. These settings can be adapted to each change of context to allow you to hear what’s going on and ensure no noise is too loud or soft. 

Although you may choose to wear your hearing aid on one default setting throughout most of your day, it’s certainly convenient to be able to adjust it when you need to.

Hearing Aids that Look Like Earbuds

While nearly 20% of people worldwide have hearing loss, only 10% to 20% of those who need a hearing aid wear one. 

Some hearing loss patients decline to use a hearing aid due to perceived social stigmas associated with the device. Although these social stigmas shouldn’t inhibit you from experiencing the world fully, you may not always want others to know that you wear a hearing aid. 

Whether you have concerns about your privacy or appearance, you should know that advancements in medical technology have made it possible to disguise your hearing device. Now, you can even look stylish with hearing aids that look like earbuds.

With earbud hearing aids, you no longer have to worry about fiddling with confusing wires and buttons. Because these devices look and work like the latest technology, you simply pair them with your smartphone, put them in your ears, and go on with your day.

Pairing with Your Smartphone

Many people use smartphones to manage nearly every aspect of their lives. If this sounds like you, you’re likely to enjoy having a hearing aid that pairs with your smartphone. 

Although you can use an app for making adjustments, neither the iPhone nor the Android platform requires you to download a new app to pair with a hearing aid. 

In most cases, you can simply use your phone’s built-in accessibility dashboard. You’ll then be able to adjust your hearing aid settings from that same dashboard (or from your lock screen) and route calls and media to the device.

Hearing Aids to Address Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition marked by ringing in the ears. Many people with tinnitus also experience some degree of hearing loss due to the constant noise. Selecting the right hearing aids that help with tinnitus will be based on several factors, including:

  • Whether the ringing is in one or both ears
  • Which frequencies are clearest for you
  • How badly your tinnitus is affecting your life

For some, amplifying other sounds with a hearing aid may make the tinnitus less noticeable. Others may need a hearing aid to play soothing sounds to drown out the noise. Either way, an audiologist will work with you to find the right solution.

Learn About the Latest Advancements in Hearing Aid Technology at Arcade Hearing Aid Center

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in recent years. From hearing aids you can program through your smartphone to options that look like trendy earbuds, it’s almost certain that you can find something that pairs well with your current lifestyle.

Contact the audiologists at Arcade Hearing Aid Center in Santa Monica, CA, to find a hearing aid solution that fits your needs, personality, and preferences.