It seems as if all our devices are getting smarter, stronger, and smaller. Being smaller while doing more is the overall trend.
So it’s not surprising that hearing aids are no exception. Though hearing issues have a number of causes, hearing problems are more prevalent among older people, and the world’s population is getting older. Around 37.5 million people and 3 million Canadians report some amount of hearing loss according to the National Institutes of Health. And that number is increasing as age is the strongest demographic variable to predict hearing loss.
If you’re dealing with hearing loss, that’s one person too many. Better ways to reduce hearing loss? Bring ‘em on! Innovations are happening, here are some.
Whole-Body Tracking Through Your Hearing Aids
This is so intuitive, it’s one of those “Now why didn’t I think of that” developments. Health and fitness trackers have to be worn on the body. So, if you already have a device that’s in your ear… do you really need another one on your wrist? The answer is no. Or at least, you don’t with some of the latest hearing aids, which in addition to helping fix hearing difficulties like tinnitus, will also track your pulse, your physical activity, and a whole lot more. Certainly, a wearable like an Apple Watch can do that, but hearing aids can offer you other types of input that can be helpful to tracking health, like how much time you spend having conversations or listening. How much social engagement you get can actually be a vital health metric, particularly as you age.
Better Streaming Straight to You
Connectivity is the important watchword, as virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa have advanced from smartphones to in-home devices without missing a beat. Some hearing aids that have Bluetooth capabilities now let users stream audio directly from a device, like a smart TV for example, to the hearing aids. Google published open-source standards for Android developers that show them how to use certain channels within Bluetooth to produce uninterrupted audio directly to hearing aids. This technology is making things like movies and music more satisfying by acting like super-powered wireless headphones.
Smart Adjustments From Big Data
Similar to how Netflix suggests shows and movies based on what you’ve previously watched, or your Fitbit buzzes to let you know you’ve reached a goal (or okay, let’s say stepping stone, depending on how committed your everyday step goals are), your next hearing aid may make personalized recommendations. Several manufacturers are working on hearing aids that will learn both from the adjustments you make and from listening to the places you go. Some go as far as to crowdsource data about people’s usage habits, making it anonymous then aggregating it. So whether you’re watching TV at home, or in an IMAX theater, your hearing aids will be able to use this information to recognize what your situation is and make adjustments to provide you with the most enjoyable audio experience.
Getting Rid of The Batteries For Good
We know, it sounds too good to be true, hearing aids that don’t need batteries? It can be really inconvenient making certain you have spare batteries or that your hearing aids are completely charged. While we’re not likely to get hearing aids that don’t need any batteries, there has been a continuous improvement in rechargeable technology. You’ll get quicker charging time, extended use time, and less worry about batteries, which seems pretty good.