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3 Ways Technology Has Transformed Hearing Aids
They’re sleek, smart, rechargeable, and nearly invisible
Signia
If you’ve been putting off looking into hearing aids as a way to address recent changes in your hearing, or you’ve delayed exploring whether your current hearing aids need an update, here’s a news flash. Thanks to massive leaps in technology, today’s hearing aids are dramatically different and vastly improved compared to those from just a few years ago.
They’re sleeker, smaller, and much, much smarter. Devices of even a decade ago were fundamentally amplifiers that turned up the volume on everything – human voices, a busy street, a noisy restaurant.
Today’s hearing aids, in contrast, are like wearable microcomputers. Harnessing breakthrough Bluetooth technology and artificial intelligence (AI), they stream phone calls, music, podcasts, and TV audio directly into your ear. And they adjust continuously to the audio environment around you, filtering background clatter to optimize the voices nearby so you can engage in conversations effortlessly.
Elegant, adaptive, and discreet, modern hearing aids mean you don’t have to live with declines in hearing or bulky devices. Treating hearing loss is key to maintaining your independence, supporting a vibrant social life, and even protecting your long-term brain health.
Here’s what you should know about today’s hearing aids and how they can help you stay engaged and confidently connected to the people and activities you love.
Rechargeable power
Disposable zinc-air batteries were the standard in hearing aids until about a decade ago. These teeny batteries needed to be replaced every few days, a process that required constant fumbling and lots of frustration. The shift to built-in, sealed lithium-ion rechargeable batteries eliminated this headache entirely. Now, recharging hearing aids is as easy as dropping them into a portable charging case. Another transformative improvement: You can discreetly adjust volume or settings through your smartphone rather than grappling with buttons in your ear.
Miniaturization technology
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We’ve come a long way from the unwieldy, highly visible banana-shaped hearing aids of years past. Today’s hearing aids pack incredible power into a nearly invisible footprint. Thanks to next-generation System-on-a-Chip (SoC) technology, advanced digital signal processing and seamless wireless connectivity are integrated into an ultra-compact device. The result is that hearing aids are virtually undetectable and comfortable hour after hour.
The power of AI
Premium hearing aids adapt constantly to dynamic environments. Trained on millions of real-world soundscapes using “deep neural network” technology, the AI analyzes sound the millisecond it hits the hearing aid’s microphone, prioritizing speech and subduing background distractions.
Signia MaX is a prime example of a modern rechargeable hearing aid built to help people hear more clearly in ever-changing settings. Its AI-powered Acoustic Intelligence™ utilizes four unique neural networks to create an acoustic super-brain. Back in that lively restaurant, it helps the device adapt in real time to loud surroundings, multiple conversations, and even your own voice – so you don’t miss a single beat of what’s going on. Plus, its pocket-sized charging case and OneConnect Technology make getting connected and staying connected simple, seamless, and stress-free.
When your hearing changes with age, the right technology can help you stay sharp, independent, and engaged in the conversations around you. Taking a fresh look at today’s sleek, smart, and AI-enabled hearing aids will help you make the best decision for your hearing health.
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