Hearing aids have become an essential device for millions of Americans living with hearing loss. They help people with hearing loss communicate more effectively, enjoy hobbies, engage with friends and family, and live life more fully. All of this with a powerful little device that can often fit neatly inside an ear canal.
Hearing aids have come a very long way since they first arrived on the hearing health scene, from the first electrical hearing aids of the late nineteenth century to the analog devices and then digital hearing aids of the twentieth century. Now, there may be even more exciting advances on the horizon.
Hearing devices of the future are here
The terms artificial intelligence, sensor technology and machine learning may seem like something out of sci-fi, CIA or at least science headlines, but they may also be included in the features of your next hearing aid if the recent 63rd International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians is any indication. An estimated 8,000 attendees from 83 countries took part in lectures, workshops and roundtables, but the highlight was the exhibition hall where numerous companies showcased the newest innovations including hearing aid technology that:
- Learns how to recognize and modulate the wearer’s voice making it sound more natural and increasing adoption by users.
- Focuses hearing aids on precisely what the wearing wants to listen to in a specific situation to make for more effective hearing in any environment.
- Improved connectivity and streaming, to not only one ear but both, from a phone, Skype, music and more.
- Continuously monitors and adjusts to the environment and noise levels, commonly referred to as advanced environmental detection, for more natural hearing with hearing aids.
- Better protects the hearing aid inside and out through advanced coating materials.
- Increases the capabilities and power of even the smallest and most invisible hearing aids.
- Offers the ability to track biometric data like brain and body health. This capability can help users better manage their health and hearing aids while providing the information experts need to create more effective hearing aids in the future.
- Improves management of devices via smartphones (both iPhone and Android) including apps for both the user and the hearing healthcare provider.
- Increase processing capability, memory, bandwidth, range and even battery and recharged life for longer and more effective wear.
- Simultaneous language translation.
- Supports those with hearing loss in finding the perfect hearing aid for their needs using a process of real-world experience with a device paired with objective data collected by the device.
- Learns the wearer’s preferences for various environments and can even guide them to make adjustments as needed for the best hearing experience.
The possibilities are endless as hearing aid manufacturers embrace artificial intelligence, sensor technology and machine learning to create easy-to-wear smart devices that make hearing with hearing loss more natural than ever before!
If you’re ready to learn more about hearing aids to treat your hearing loss or would like to upgrade your current hearing aids for one of the latest devices, contact our office to learn more about the options now available.
