The latest trends in Hearing Aid Technology

With every year that comes, there are new trends that go with it. This is the case across all industries, and audiology is certainly no different. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at the different advances in hearing aids and hearing aid technology.

Multifunctional communication devices

There is no denying that hearing aids are changing dramatically. The case for requiring a hearing device has been simple up to now: to help you hear better. However, as we move forward, devices are going to become multifunctional, centering around communication in general – not just hearing. We are going to see devices hit the market that are not merely designed for those who need to enhance their hearing, but those who want to.

Made For Android

Google announced that they have been working on Made For Android, and it is likely that we are going to see other brands take this leap too. What does this actually mean? Well, it means that those using hearing aid devices benefit from extra functionality when it comes to their smartphones, enabling them to utilize Google Assistant and such like. This is a feature that is already embedded with iPhones; however, it is taking significant steps forward, with more functionality offered and more brands set to embrace the concept.

Artificial Intelligence

We cannot talk about technology in any industry without mentioning Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is having an impact across the board, and hearing technology is no different. There are many different ways that we can see AI being used in the hearing aid sector. At the moment, it is used to gather data from thousands of devices to ensure that products are upgraded and that users benefit from the best possible experience. However, as AI gets more and more advanced, we will start to feel greater benefits associated with this. One element we can certainly expect to see soon is that hearing devices will be able to react in real-time, which means their functionality will be upgraded continually. As a user wears their hearing device, the device is going to be able to gain more and more data about the user’s habits and needs, and so it will be able to optimize itself to ensure optimal use. This is something we can expect to see in the near future, as equivalent technology is already being rolled out across different industries.

Personal assistants

How cool would it be if your hearing aid could also be your personal assistant? Well, it seems that the industry is moving in this direction. Brand Resound announced that they were incorporating Siri integration and AI into their latest range of hearing devices. Several other brands making similar announcements then followed this; for example, Starkey came out and stated that they would be integrating Google Assistant into some of their hearing devices as well. This is bound to be the start of a very exciting trend. This means that your hearing aid will become integrated into your daily life. It will make your life easier in more ways than one. Not only will it improve your hearing ability, but it will help you to manage your life better by keeping on top of important tasks and ensuring you’re up-to-date with your schedule.

Fuel cell technology

Last but not least, we could not speak about current advances and trends within the hearing aid sector without mentioning fuel cell technology. This is based on EVOKE EC and methanol inside of it, which is a small fuel cell that receives energy from the refill unit holding a methanol cartridge. Electrical energy is produced to power the hearing aid once the air inside the fuel cell is combined with the methanol. This means that negligible amounts of carbon dioxide and vaporized water is the only waste. What does this mean? Well, it means we could move to an era whereby hearing devices are created that do not require batteries or charging. Instead, a 20-second charge of methanol could be enough to see your hearing device last for 24 hours.

Contact a leading audiologist today

If you are interested in upgrading your current hearing aid, or you would like to know about the different options that are available, do not hesitate to get in touch with Peninsula Hearing. We have many years of experience in the industry and we can make sure a leading audiologist assists you with all of your hearing needs. You can find your contact information for our offices below:

• Poulsbo: 360-697-3061
• Port Townsend: 360-379-5458