Like most forms of technology, hearing aids have improved quickly and substantially. Today’s hearing aids are more powerful, more feature packed, and more affordable than ever before. So while it may be tempting to wonder what the future of hearing aids may look like, modern hearing aid technology is already making a major difference for those with hearing loss.

If you have hearing loss, there are many hearing aid options available that can help you take back your hearing. Let’s take a look at some of the most powerful hearing aid technology available today, split into three categories.

Latest Hearing Aid Technology: Sound

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of a hearing aid is how well it helps the user hear. Let’s take a look at the modern hearing aid technology that’s improving the overall performance of hearing aids.

Digital Sound Processing

Digital sound processing is one of the most impactful breakthroughs in hearing aid technology. While it’s not necessarily new technology, modern digital hearing aids are using it better than ever—especially when compared to analog hearing aids.

Where analog hearing aids convert soundwaves into electrical signals, digital hearing aids convert them into a digital signal. This makes it possible to isolate certain sounds and amplify only the ones that matter most to the user—like speech.

Background Noise Reduction

Hand-in-hand with digital sound processing is background noise reduction. This technology cleared the way for hearing aids with specifically designed features to help reduce background noise. Background noise is one of the most frustrating issues for hearing aid users as it can make it difficult to hear speech or other important sounds.

Background noise reduction technology can make it much easier to hear in loud environments and provides a comfortable listening experience.

Directional Microphones

Another feature to help with background noise, directional microphone systems are designed to pick up sounds from specific areas—such as in front of the user. In this case, sounds from behind the user are quieter than those in front, making it easier to hold a conversation in a busy place. This has become a nearly must-have feature with hearing aids due to the benefits it provides.

Automatic Fitting

Direct-to-consumer hearing aids have made it easy—and affordable—to get hearing loss treatment. These devices are available for purchase online with no prescription or audiologist visit necessary. This is made possible by automatic fitting technology which helps tune the hearing aids to ensure they’re ready to use right out of the box.

Feedback Reduction

Feedback is a pain for most hearing aid users, but some hearing aids offer advanced feedback reduction technology that can cut down or eliminate feedback without affecting the overall amplification provided. While these systems likely won’t eliminate feedback completely, they can go a long way in providing a comfortable listening experience with minimal feedback.

Latest Hearing Technology: Connectivity

Hearing aids do more than just hear these days. Many hearing aids are packed with technology that makes them easy to connect and control in various ways.

Bluetooth

Many devices utilize Bluetooth, and hearing aids are no exception. Bluetooth makes it possible to connect devices together, but in terms of hearing aids, it can also mean improved performance. Bluetooth hearing aids may offer a better signal-to-noise ratio and less feedback. 

Streaming Audio

Bluetooth connectivity opens the door for technology like streaming audio. The most common example of this is phone calls—some hearing aids now offer the ability to take phone calls through the device, eliminating the need to take the hearing aids out while talking on the phone. 

This technology can also turn hearing aids into earbuds as music can be streamed through the devices.

Hearing Aid Apps

Hearing aids are easier to control than ever thanks to hearing aid apps. Most commonly, hearing aid apps allow users to adjust the volume or change settings from a mobile device, which can be much easier than using the controls on the device. Some hearing aid providers even offer customized listening environments which help users adjust their hearing aid to fit where they are.

Latest Hearing Technology: Design

Hearing aid design has also undergone significant changes to improve user experience.

Rechargeable Batteries

Many hearing aids now come with internal rechargeable batteries. This eliminates the need to purchase and swap out batteries regularly, which can help save time and money. 

Water Resistance

While waterproof hearing aids may not exist, water-resistant devices do. These hearing aids are designed to fight off sweat, rain, or other types of moisture that could damage the devices. This makes them especially useful for those with busier, active lifestyles.

Minimal Design

Hearing aids are now available in discrete profiles. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids hide the main component of the device, with only a small wire running into the ear. Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing aids take it a step further by housing the hearing aid directly inside the ear, making it nearly impossible to see.

Check Out Lexie’s Hearing Aid Technology

It’s clear: hearing aid technology is advancing quickly with no end in sight. Modern devices have many of the features above—including direct-to-consumer hearing aids. Because of this, it’s easy to get advanced hearing aid technology in only a few clicks.

For example, Lexie hearing aids feature background noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, water-resistant technology and more. Lexie’s Autofit technology ensures that the Lumen hearing aids are ready to go as soon as they arrive, and the Lexie app makes it easy to get up and running with the right settings. Despite these features, Lexie hearing aids are available for a fraction of the cost of traditional hearing aids and can be shipped right to your door.

To get started with a risk-free trial, shop online today or contact a Lexie Expert for more information.