Posted on: February 15, 2012
With the rapid advancement in hearing technology it can be a bit tricky to keep up and understand what features are important when purchasing a hearing aid. At Accurate Hearing we want to help you to understand available hearing aid options and review various features. To do so, the following sections contain explanations for all of the features that may be important for getting the optimal hearing aid that meets your hearing loss and lifestyle needs.
Bands and Channels– These features refer to the ability to adjust hearing aid settings to best fit your hearing loss. The more bands and channels a hearing aid has, the better it can be programmed to perform for your specific hearing needs.
Feedback Cancellation– Recent innovations in hearing aids over the last few years have aimed to eliminate some of the issues that make wearers unhappy with their hearing aids. One of the biggest of these problems has been annoying whistling called feedback, which can be caused by a number of things, such as hugging a loved one, having the hearing aid brushed by hair or simply being outside on a windy day. However, new technology has virtually eliminated buzzing and whistling caused by hearing aid feedback without compromising performance.
Multi-Memory Settings– While a traditional hearing aid simply amplified all sounds, technology has adapted greatly to how the hearing aid should perform in many different environments. For instance, certain hearing aid settings may perform more appropriately in social settings as opposed to in the car or outside in the wind. By having multiple memories, hearing aids can switch into different programming settings for optimal performance.
Directional Microphone– The microphone component of a hearing aid amplifies incoming sounds for greater audibility. In recent years, advancements have been made with the microphone to help it focus on targeted sounds, such as conversations, and reduce background noises. This directional functionality has proved beneficial for helping ease the struggle of hearing speech in noisy environments.
Telephone Coil/Compatibility– Many hearing aids today have advanced telephone compatibility. With Automatic Telephone Solutions, these hearing aids virtually eliminate feedback while automatically adjusting for optimal communication on the telephone.
Wireless Technology– Allows you to connect directly – and wirelessly – to most media devices. TV, radio and computer can be heard in stereo-quality sound directly through the hearing aid.
For more information on hearing aid features please contact our office at 252-3004 in Lower Sackville or 423-7734 in Halifax.