If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss in Indianapolis, the chances are good that you’ll benefit from wearing hearing aids. If you’re already wearing them, you have no doubt experienced firsthand the positive difference they make in your quality of life. Consider some popular hearing aid accessories to make your daily routine even easier.
Popular Hearing Aid Accessories in Indianapolis
Hearing aids offer a large number of accessories that can help further boost their performance and make your life even easier. In situations where background noise, distance, and poor acoustics can interfere with their effectiveness, some accessories can help you overcome these obstacles and enjoy a better communication experience.
Your Indianapolis audiologist recommends the following accessories to give your hearing aids an extra boost.
- Wireless Accessories. Wireless accessories rely on Bluetooth® technology to to stream signals from a variety of electronic devices directly to their hearing aids. Radio waves are used to transmit data over high frequencies securely and without interference. Audio streamers work as a communication link between the wireless device and hearing aid, delivering the power needed to complete the connection. Wireless connectivity improves the listening experience and can be used with mobile phones, audio devices, computers, tablets and television headsets.
- FM Systems. FM (Frequency Modulation) systems consist of a transmitter, microphone and receiver. The microphone and transmitter are placed in close proximity to the sound source and the listener wears the receiver. The transmitter sends a radio signal to the receiver, which forwards it to the hearing aid. FM systems are used in environments where background noise, distance or reverberation limit the effectiveness of hearing aids.
- Assistive Listening Devices. ALDs are personal amplifiers that separate speech from background noise and boost the volume of sound entering your ears, increasing the effectiveness of hearing aids by overcoming distracting background noise and minimizing the effects of distance and poor acoustics. They are similar to FM systems but utilize infrared light signals or hearing loops instead of radio waves.
- Wax Guards and Filters. Earwax is a leading cause of damage to hearing aids. When this naturally-occurring substance accumulates, it can cause problems with sound reception and may even damage the sensitive electronic components. Wax guards and filters help trap earwax before it even reaches your hearing aids.
- Cleaning Kits. Cleaning your hearing aids on a daily basis is the best way to ensure they perform to their full capacity and may help extend their life. Cleaning kits, which include useful tools such as a wax removal brush and pick, tube and vent cleaner, battery door opener and magnet for replacing batteries, help simplify the chore.
- Batteries. An extra supply of batteries is essential in ensuring you’ll be able to communicate should your current batteries die unexpectedly. They are especially useful when traveling.
- Portable Chargers. If your hearing aids operate on rechargeable batteries, portable chargers can give you an extra power boost should your devices suddenly quit. A quick 30-minute charge should provide you with about eight hours’ of use.
If you’d like to learn more about these and other hearing aid accessories, make a call to an Indianapolis audiologist today.