Many people know hearing aids can assist a listener in hearing and communicating effectively. We have significant research and patient testimonials showing the positive impact hearing aids can have on one’s life and communication. But did you know there can be more to hearing aids than the device on your ear?
Every hearing aid has optional accessories that can work with your hearing aids to provide additional assistance and communication benefit. These accessories have the potential to make good hearing with hearing aids to excellent hearing with hearing aids.
Remote Microphone
Imagine going to the busiest restaurant in town on a Friday evening with your significant other. Or imagine riding in a car with a friend or family member. Or imagine talking in an environment with high ceilings and significant sound reverberation.
Hearing loss or normal hearing, these situations can be difficult to hold a conversation and understand those who are speaking. Even with perfectly programmed hearing aids, many individuals and hearing aid users report difficulty understanding speech in these environments. These are examples of situations that a remote microphone can be very beneficial.
The speaker wears a remote microphone as a necklace or clipped onto their clothing. The remote microphone then allows the speaker’s voice to be transmitted directly to the listener’s hearing aids.
There are variations of remote microphones, such as table microphones, that are designed to be placed in the middle of the table so all of the speakers’ voices are directly transmitted to the listener’s hearing aids.
Remote microphones significantly improve hearing and speech understanding by giving the listener/ individual with hearing aids direct access to the speaker’s voice. Remote microphones can be used to overcome noisy environments, larger distances, and poor room acoustics.
Television Streamer
Watching television and movies is a fun pastime, but it can be very frustrating for individuals with hearing loss. Even with hearing aids, hearing and understanding the television can be difficult depending on the program and the acoustics of your environment. A television streamer is a device that can plug into your television and transmit the audio directly to your hearing aids.
There are many benefits to using a television streaming device. Using a television streamer allows hearing aids to overcome poor room acoustics and gives the user direct access to the audio, similar to headphones or TV Ears. Using a television streamer also allows the user of hearing aids to have control of their volume and gives others who are watching their volume control.
Remote Control
The last accessory I would like to discuss is a remote control.
Many users of hearing aids want to have access to control the volume or program of their hearing aids. Some users may use the buttons of their hearing aids for volume control or program changes as needed. Other users may use an app on their smartphone to control their devices.
When a user of hearing aids wants to control but does not have hearing aid buttons or a smartphone app, they may benefit from obtaining a remote control. The remote control is a handheld remote (much like a television remote) that allows users to adjust the volume or program of their hearing aids as needed.
Curious about remote microphones, television streamers, and remote controls to use with your hearing aids? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our audiologists to discuss your listening needs and determine the best hearing system for you.
