Hearing Aids - Digital Hearing Aid Features, Options and Bluetooth
There are many options for hearing aids today
and it can be confusing for a person to pick and choose among
them. A hearing aid is only successful if it is matched to the lifestyle
of the patient, not just the hearing loss itself. To navigate successfully
through all of these features, it is crucial to have a qualified Hearing
Professional assist you in the selection of the most appropriate hearing
aids. Here are a few features that are growing in popularity and will
help to resolve some of the issues hearing aid users have been complaining
about for a long time.
Open fit (OTE)
This style of hearing aid has been around
for several years now and has quickly become the most popular
style of hearing aid on the market. If a new hearing aid model
is released, it almost always has an open-fit version. High-frequency
hearing losses were very difficult to fit with traditional
custom aids or the standard Behind the Ear. With an open fit hearing
aid, the canal is barely covered by a small thin dome that lets in sound
naturally while amplifying only the sounds you have difficulty hearing,
mainly in the high frequency range. The occlusion/plugged up
sensation is now gone with open fit devices. With CRT (canal receiver
technology) hearing aids, a wider range of hearing losses can now be
fit with the availability of “power” receivers.
Due to their small size, open fit hearing aids are the most
cosmetically appealing.
Remote controls
One of the problems with small custom
or open fit hearing aids is that they may be too small for
a volume control and/or push button (to manually change the
listening programs). This isn’t
a problem if you like the automatic volume control or program
changes that some models offer. For those who want more flexibility
and control over their hearing aids, remote controls are available
through several manufacturers. They can fit on your key chain,
in your pocket, and even double as a watch. Data-Logging
Data-Logging
is one of the bigger
breakthroughs experienced in the industry the past few years.
With data-logging, the hearing aids actually record how you
use the hearing aids AND the different listening environments
in which you are exposed on an everyday basis. This gives the
local Professional strong objective data to further customize the hearing
aids for you as you progress through the trial period. Before data-logging
Hearing Professionals had to frequently make educated guesses about
how to fine-tune a person’s hearing
aids when they came in with complaints.
Self-Learning
Self-learning usually
works in conjunction with data-logging. With this feature,
the hearing aid learns and applies your volume changes and
preferences for various listening situations. A manual volume control
or remote is necessary to have access to this feature. Over time,
it will learn to adjust the volume automatically in different
listening environments so that you won’t
need to. So by having this feature, you will not need to make
that extra trip to the Hearing Professional’s office to turn down
or turn up the loudness.
Moisture Resistance
Moisture is the #1 cause
of hearing aid repairs. It comes from a variety of sources – rain,
humidity, condensation, perspiration, earwax, etc. Moisture
resistant features for hearing aids are designed to minimize
the effects of these various moisture sources, but it does
not make the hearing aid waterproof. You cannot shower or swim with
hearing aids. Even if you live in a dry area, you are still prone to
moisture buildup. This feature is often on newer models that came to
the market in 2007 and on. Depending on the manufacturer, a moisture
resistant hearing aid either has 1) a coating on the case of the aid
to allow moisture beads to roll off; 2) a sealant protecting the internal
components of the device; 3) a special microphone covering, and/or 4)
a barrier over the speaker inside the ear canal . If used in conjunction
with a dehumidifier, such as a Dry and Store, the need for repairs can
be reduced.
Wind Noise Management
Hearing aid manufacturers
are now able to control a peak in the frequency response when
wind noise is present blowing over the microphone. This feature
has evolved to the point that the wind noise can now be reduced without
diminishing the quality of the speech signal. This feature would be recommended
to anyone that spends a significant amount of time outdoors.
It is available in almost all premium models and some mid level technology
as well.
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Bluetooth and Hearing Aids
What is “Bluetooth”?
Bluetooth® is
an international wireless communication protocol. It includes
software and hardware, which allows secure, two-way audio or
data streaming between Bluetooth devices such as computers,
mobile phones and PDAs. Bluetooth devices send data and voice in a clean,
clear, digital format up to 10 meters.
Since it is digital, the audio signal is not subject
to the same sources of signal degradation that sometimes compromise
the quality of analog (FM, AM or inductive) transmissions. In an analog
signal path, electrical noise from a variety of sources is amplified along
with the signal. In contrast, a digital Bluetooth signal is extracted
from the noise; it alone is transmitted and amplified, while noise is
rejected.
The low-power design of Bluetooth transmission systems has two
advantages. One, it minimizes battery consumption for portable
devices. Secondly, it places an intentional limit on the range
of transmission — the
most common version has a range of 10 meters — which helps to
avoid interference among nearby devices. At the same time,
walls and other obstacles have a negligible effect on Bluetooth transmission.
How
does Bluetooth work with hearing aids?
This is relatively new area for
hearing aids to evolve. For starters, it is important to note
that no hearing aid currently designed has Bluetooth technology integrated
into its design. Options or accessories have to be purchased with hearing
aids for it to receive a Bluetooth signal. With the proper accessories
and properly equipped hearing aids, a consumer can run a Bluetooth signal
through their hearing aids.
A hearing aid has to have one or both of the
following components to work with Bluetooth:
- A Telecoil – This
is essentially a small magnet inside a hearing aid that receives
signals from telephones or other devices. Most Bluetooth
accessories communicate with the hearing aids through either
a magnetic loop worn around the neck or using different magnetic
coupler laying against a BTE hearing aid.
- Direct Audio Input (DAI) – this
option is almost exclusive to standard BTEs and allows for
connection with FM systems and other options. This is the
most expensive way to use Bluetooth in conjunction with hearing
aids.
Bluetooth
options are somewhat limited at the moment, however, the options
available do work well. Cost can range from about $100 for universal devices
limited to cell phone use only to a $750 option that is hearing aid brand
specific that doubles as a remote control, Bluetooth receiver,
and television transmitter. The systems using DAI and FM receivers can
easily approach $2,000, but their multi-use functions are numerous and
well worth it for the right person.
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Hearing Aids
