This article is sponsored by The Hearing Suite.
Hearing aid technology has improved drastically over the last few decades.
Many of the devices now boast Bluetooth technology, come with mobile apps or compatible gadgets and some are even invisible to the naked eye.
Emily Balmer, founder and lead audiologist of The Hearing Suite, Harrogate, explained why the modern hearing aid is “out of this world”.
She said:
“A comfortable, clear listening experience is always our top priority. But today’s hearing aids are designed to fit in with your life, rather than you fitting in with them.”
Ms Balmer said hearing aid programs are now able to adapt to your surroundings.
She said:
“Instead of hearing all around you or pressing a button to hear in front of you, hearing aid programs blend seamlessly all by themselves. If you are in the car, they even detect and reduce road noise. Or if you have an echoey kitchen, they compensate for that too.”
However, Ms Balmer said some people still wanted to change the volume, program or even create their own bespoke program for a specific environment.
She added:
“That’s easy too, with the use of an app – and the bluetooth features don’t end there.
“You can track the location of a missing hearing aid and stream music and phone calls directly into your ears. You can even track your steps and heart rate and alert people if you have had a fall.
“And gone are the days of worrying about a spot of rain if you are wearing one, as there are even hearing aids you can swim in.”
Ms Balmer said rechargibility had made the use of hearing aids much easier, with handy charging points and battery lives of up to 24 hours.
She continued:
“Then there’s the gadgets that work with hearing aids, taking them to even greater heights.
“For example the remote microphone that cuts out background noise in a restaurant, or the TV streamer; a tiny box behind your TV that takes the sound instantly and wirelessly into your ears.”
Ms Balmer also praised the benefits of modern extended-wear hearing aids.
She said:
“These are fitted 4mm away from your ear drum every eight weeks and are invisible to the naked eye. These allow you to forget you even have a hearing loss.”