Nowadays, you can see many young people with wireless headphones. That didn’t go over the heads of the hearing aid producers, because a lot of hearing aids are published, that doesn’t look like hearing aids but rather like headphones. In this blog, we will introduce some of them and show you the advantages and disadvantages.
Let's begin with the Signia Active Pro
When you see it for the first time, you could think, you come straight out of a Samsung factory. From the charging tray to the hearing aid itself, they look almost exactly like the headphones we can see everywhere. But nothing could be farther from the truth. It is a fully approved hearing aid, that can keep up with the best hearing aids on the market. The whole technology, that is found in hearing aids, is also used in the Signia Active Pro. With rubber sleeves in different sizes, this hearing aid fits in almost every ear. The devices can be connected through Bluetooth with your phone. That means, that you can also hear music and other audio signals, like with every wireless headphones.
Starkey Evolv ITC
The well known hearing aid provider Starkey was influenced by wireless headphones. The ITC-variant of the Evolv-line is a rechargeable In-the-ear hearing aid, that can keep up with other high-quality hearing aids. This variation comes with a practicable charging bag, that is a little bigger. Another difference is, that the Evolv ITC is completely custom-made. This way, a controlled closure of the ear canal is guaranteed, so that you get exactly the amplification, that you need. Those hearing aids are able to build a Bluetooth-Connection for streaming like music and other audio signals.
Custom Made ReSound
And so, the Resound Custom Made is, like the name suggests, a completely custom-made hearing aid. Aside from the rechargeability and the Bluetooth-Connection, this device has the same technologies as the Resound One. On this device, there is a big button, that can be found very easily, that can be assigned to different functions. Unfortunately, the Resound Custom Made has no charging bag, to carry it around, but the devices have a battery runtime of over 24 hours. When the hearing aid is charged every night, there should be no problems.
But what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Aside from their trendy looks, this type of hearing aids is very easy to use. You don’t have to care about eyeglass legs and mole caps, that can be in the way, and the insert is often easier than with other hearing aids. Many people are used to having something in their ear the whole day. Furthermore, others don’t realize that they’re wearing a hearing aid, because they look just like wireless headphones. You can enjoy all the advantages from wireless headphones, like free-hand telephony and streaming music. You probably will get some questions or commentaries, when you keep the devices on during conversations. It could look a bit antisocial. Of course, if someone asks, you could always say, that you are hearing impaired.
Development in the hearing aid industry
Hearing aids are more available nowadays and with recent developments, we are taking a big step in the right direction to improve accessibility and affordability. Together with the possibility to adjust hearing aids from a distance, this means that people have a more choices on what hearing aid they can use for their hearing situation. More and more hearing aids “without prescription” are entering the market. These are hearing aids that are adjusted through an app and don't require a visit to a local audiologist. Since these devices have been brought to the market only recently, it is hard to say if the technology is advanced enough. But we think, that this is another big step in the right direction for making good hearing accessible and affordable for everyone!
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