Common concerns for people with hearing loss including hearing in a noisy place, listening to the television, and talking on the phone. Many times, hearing aids will significantly improve these situations and no further action needs to be taken. However, some listeners may need additional support. This is where hearing aid accessories come in. These are additional tools that improve the function of the hearing aids in specific scenarios. This post will cover some of the more popular accessory options.
- Television: a TV accessory typically plugs into the back of a television, and streams the television through your hearing aids. Not only does this improve the clarity and intelligibility of what you are watching, it also allows the patient to adjust the volume to their comfort level, while leaving the overall TV volume at a comfortable level for other people in the room. Some manufacturers require the patient to have a secondary device that they either wear around their neck or sit next to them, but certain manufacturers such as Starkey, do this directly without having an intermediary device.
- Cellphone: phone accessories typically pair via bluetooth with a cellphone, and allow the listener to hear phone calls (or other audio) through their hearing aids. This is an option for patients who don’t have a made-for-phone hearing aid, or for Android users. Typically these streaming accessories can be connected to other devices such as iPods, tablets, and computers.
- Remote Microphone: remote microphones are great for patients who are still having difficulty communicating one-on-one, whether it be in the car or in a noisy setting. Whoever the patient is communicating with wears a small microphone, typically clipped to their shirt, which transmits their voice directly to the patient’s ears. This allows for a much clearer signal, and cuts down on any outside noise.
- Remote Controls: similar to a TV remote, hearing aid remote controls allow patients to adjust their volume or change programs without having to touch the buttons on the back of the hearing aid. This is great for patients with dexterity concerns, or for patients that want to discreetly make changes without others noticing.
Accessories can be a great tool for adding to your hearing aid experience. Ask your audiologist if you feel you may benefit from one of these options.
For more information about hearing aid accessories contact Gardner Audiology at 1-800-277-1182 or mail info@gardneraudiology.com
