Top Hearing Aid Features to Consider

Hearing aids have a variety of different features. Some are standard and can be found in nearly all hearing aid models, whereas others are classed as optional extras that you can choose to have. It’s always important to think carefully about which features you need when choosing a hearing aid, but your audiologist can help you to identify the best features for your unique needs. Here are some of the most popular features that you might like to consider when choosing your hearing aid.

Directional Microphones

When a directional microphone system is activated, the hearing aid focuses on the direction that you are facing. Essentially, you end up hearing sounds coming from the direction you are facing at a much greater volume compared with sounds that are next to or behind you, so that you can better tune out the background noise and focus on whatever you are attempting to hear. Directional microphones can be found in a variety of hearing aids, but not all styles have them. Directional microphones can be ideal if you need to hear clearly in loud and noisy environments, working especially well when you need to make out speech in a busy location. Directional microphones are certainly a great feature that you might like to consider.

Telecoil

A wide variety of hearing aids boast a telecoil, but certain styles are too small to house one. A telecoil provides you with the opportunity to tune in directly to a specific frequency to receive sound without being troubled by feedback or background noise. Connectors are commonly located in public areas such as shops, banks and public transport. You can also utilize a telecoil when speaking on the phone to gain better clarity! Telecoils can help to offer peace of mind, as you can have faith in the fact that you can tune in and hear exactly what you need to hear.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is another option that allows you to directly tune into something you would like to hear clearly. Lots of devices utilize Bluetooth technology, including computers, smartphones and speakers, so when you choose this additional feature for your hearing aid you can listen to music, watch shows and chat through the phone with much greater clarity. Bluetooth is a modern advancement but it’s becoming more and more popular to see hearing aid styles that boast Bluetooth capabilities.

Tinnitus Masking

It’s fairly common for those who experience hearing loss to also have tinnitus. Tinnitus causes you to hear ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears which isn’t caused by an external sound and can’t be heard by other people. If you have tinnitus, then it’s always beneficial to consider a tinnitus masking feature for your hearing aid to achieve a better level of tinnitus suppression. Such a feature works by playing a sound into your ear that will either help to mask or limit the tinnitus noises that you hear, helping you to better manage your condition.