As technology continues to advance at seemingly light speeds, a buffet of assistive listening devices continue to appear. Back in the day, the introduction of the digital signal process chip in the 1980s anticipated the many fully digital hearing aid models we take for granted today. It’s hard to believe it was only a few decades ago that digital technology was revolutionary. Today, most hearing aid options are digital and the technology that accompanies and integrates with hearing aids would seem space-age to a hearing specialist in 1985.
Smart Phone Intelligence
Thankfully, the hearing health field continues to push the envelope, embracing advances and paradigm shifts in the industry. Despite a 1988 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) document entitled the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988, requiring requires phones to be compatible with hearing aids and its 2003 expansion to include wireless phones, smartphones still produced feedback for some hearing aids. Because users frequently must use the two simultaneously, the technology responded. Enter Bluetooth technology, thoroughly embraced by the hearing aid industry.
What is Bluetooth technology?
Bluetooth is a wireless communication platform developed to allow for the transfer of data between electronic devices. It relies upon high-frequency radio waves to relay uninterrupted information back and forth. Bluetooth-enabled devices abound; It’s found in smartphones, music players, computers, tablets and televisions these days.
Integrated connectivity
Bluetooth technology is particularly fortuitous for the hearing aid user because it essentially connects everything we want to hear and directly streams that sound information into our hearing aids. Feedback is no longer an issue, and neither will we annoy our loved ones when the television is turned up way too loud!
Technology beyond hearing aids
Outside of the Bluetooth technology directly linking our devices to our hearing aids, there are a host of other assistive listening devices that can enhance the hearing experience of those with hearing loss. Choosing the right assistive listening devices to round out your hearing health options can positively impact your hearing experience, and that of those around you.
Built uniquely for you
Hearing loss is unique to each person and so are the habits and activity that make up our individual lives. For this reason, choosing devices outside of a hearing aid can personalize your hearing health solution to the hundredth degree. Sometimes referred to as simply ALDs, assistive listening devices provide assistance to primarily three areas: the television, in-person conversation and the telephone.
The scoop on ALDs
The pathway to an assistive listening device is fairly simple. They are available without a prescription, so users could feasibly buy them directly. However, it is through working with a hearing instrument specialist that those with hearing loss can most intelligently incorporate them into their plan. Hearing instrument specialists are most informed on the myriad benefits enabled by ALDs. In addition, they can work directly with you to complement the existing functions of your hearing aids.
Sometimes, assistive listening devices can be the first step in hearing loss intervention. Even before hearing aids are introduced, an assistive listening device can add just the oomph necessary to bring subpar volume up to more functional levels for the hearing impaired.
ALDs in public
Perhaps it is because of the increase of aging Baby Boomers into the age-related hearing loss demographic that is pushing the demand for assistive listening devices to be in our shared spaces. The introduction of hearing loops, a wire that circles a room and connects to a sound system to amplify sound into the user’s hearing aid, in places such as theaters, conference rooms and schools could massively ease the listening experience of those with hearing loss.
See what’s out there
With technology advancing leaps and bounds every day, there are sure to be even more exciting products on the market in the coming years. In the meantime, the best way to support your listening experience and take advantage of the wide array of assistive products is to make an appointment with us at HearCare. Our team can assess your individual degree of hearing loss and evaluate your lifestyle to fit you with the hearing aid and assistive device that is best for you.