Hearing aid accessories and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) can assist you in meeting your listening goals and are a good adjunct to the hearing devices. Here are a few accessories that can enhance your experience with hearing aids:
- Remote Microphones
- Purpose: These are small microphones that can be placed near a sound source (like a conversation partner or a stereo) to improve speech clarity. The remote microphone sends the sound signal directly to your hearing aids, reducing background noise and making it easier to hear in crowded places.
- Benefit to you: If you frequently find yourself in noisy environments (restaurants, social gatherings), these can be very beneficial. They can significantly improve speech understanding in challenging listening situations.
- TV Streamer
- Purpose: This small device plugs directly into the television, the audio signal is then streamed to the hearing aids. For other people watching the television the speakers will still function.
- Benefit to you: The audio signal from the television will be significantly stronger and clearer. This means that listening to shows requires less straining to hear and the television volume can be lowered making watching shows with friends and family more enjoyable.
- Remote Controls
- Purpose: Remote controls let you adjust settings like volume and hearing aid programs, without needing to touch the hearing aids themselves.
- Benefit to you: Due to dexterity managing the controls on the hearing aid can be difficult having a remote control can be easier to use. If you do not have a compatible phone, the remote control is a good option for controlling the hearing aids.
- Streaming Devices (e.g., Bluetooth Streamers)
- Purpose: Some modern hearing aids can connect to some smartphone models via Bluetooth. Direct connection to your mobile phone allows for phone calls and audio (such as music) to play directly into the hearing aids. This increases speech understanding, is easier to physically manage as your phone does not need to be held to your ear and increases privacy as you will not need to use loudspeaker.
- Benefit to you: If you use your smart phone this compatibility can improve sound quality and convenience. It is especially helpful for streaming media without needing to rely on external speakers.
- Smartphone Apps
- Purpose: Many hearing aids come with their own smartphone apps, which allow you to control and customize the settings of your hearing aids from your phone, such as adjusting volume or switching programs. Your audiologist would go over app compatibility, connecting the hearing aids to the phone and review usage with you.
- Benefit to you: The smartphone apps for hearing aids are free and user friendly. Although not all phones are compatible with the app.
If you are finding that you are not meeting all of your listening goals, an accessory for your hearing aids may assist you. To find out more please speak to your audiologist, they can recommend accessories based on your hearing needs and lifestyle and which accessories are compatible with your current hearing aids.