Hearing aids need no longer be standalone devices. There are plenty of gadgets and accessories which can enrich your experience.

If the surge in popularity experienced by wearable technology and connected devices is any indication, we certainly do love our gadgets. It seems every time you turn your head, there's some new accessory for your smartphone or some new add-on for your smart home. Why should hearing aid technology be any different? 

 

Your hearing aid, after all, is as much a part of you as your smartphone ― if not even more so. Hearing aid manufacturers are undoubtedly aware of that fact, which is why there's no shortage of hearing aid peripherals on the market. We've put together what we think are some of the coolest, most interesting, and most useful options, along with examples of each.

 

Remote Controls

Examples: Beltone Remote Control 2, Oticon Remote Control, Phonak Pilot One

 

Compact, portable, and wireless, remote controls offer a discrete alternative to smartphone apps when it comes to controlling and configuring your hearing aids. They can do a whole lot more than simply control volume and sound profiles, too. Many hearing aid remotes also allow you to control not just your device but anything it's connected to, as well, be that a TV, a music player, or even your phone. 

 

Standalone Receivers

Examples: ReSound Micro Mic, Beltone myPAL, Phonak Roger Touchscreen Mic

As anyone who's ever tried to converse in a bustling restaurant or sit through a large meeting will attest, even the best hearing aid can only do so much to cancel out background noise. That's where this gadget comes in. If you need to hear your conversation partner in a busy environment, simply have them clip a microphone onto their clothing or wear it on an attached lanyard. 

Some microphones, like Phonak's Roger Touchscreen, even have the option to switch between one-on-one and group conversation modes.

 

Bluetooth Connectors

Examples: Phonak ComPilot II

Most modern hearing aids have built-in Bluetooth functionality. But that doesn't mean they can pair easily with every device. Bluetooth connectors act as a bridge between the hearing aid and whatever device you want to stream audio from. 

This could be just about anything, from a TV to a game console to a computer. Better yet, connectors like Phonak's ComPilot II allow your hearing aid to pair with multiple devices and accessories simultaneously. Some even include cables so you can stream from devices that don't support Bluetooth.

 

Advanced Charging Options

Examples: Rexton Smart Power Charger, Signa Active Charger, Humavox POD

Most hearing aids need to be charged every night in order to remain functional. Most of the time, this involves a fairly bog-standard charging dock. Pop your hearing aid into the dock, leave it overnight, and you're good. 

Plenty of manufacturers have decided to take things a little further. Some, like the Rexton Smart Power Charger, combine the functionality of a dry box with a charging station. Others, like the Humavox POD, support wireless charging for all compatible hearing aids. Still, others offer features like on-the-go charging, charge indicators, and rapid charging.

 

TV Transmitters

Examples: ReSound TV Streamer 2, Oticon TV Adapter, Artone TVB

We'll be frank ― most TV networks still feature abysmally bad closed captioning. Even Netflix has moments where it falls woefully short, with subtitles either lacking accuracy or ending up as a garbled mess. Enter the TV transmitter

Armed with this device, you'll no longer need to sit there puzzling over what the phrase "sobbing mathematically" is supposed to mean. Instead, you can simply connect your hearing aid, turn on your TV, and start watching.

There's a wide range of specialized transmitters to choose from as well, including versions that work specifically with streaming services like Spotify.

 

Choose the Right Peripherals for You

In general, every hearing aid manufacturer has its own version of the accessories described above. Your audiologist can help you select the right options for both your needs and your specific brand of hearing aid. And failing that, the manufacturer's website is also a valuable resource. 

Either way, you're bound to find the right accessories for you. 

Whether you want to enhance your sound quality, connect your hearing aid to your smart home, listen to a conversation partner in a bustling environment, or do something else entirely, HearingPlanet can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.




 

 

 

Hearing aids need no longer be standalone devices. There are plenty of gadgets and accessories which can enrich your experience.

If the surge in popularity experienced by wearable technology and connected devices is any indication, we certainly do love our gadgets. It seems every time you turn your head, there's some new accessory for your smartphone or some new add-on for your smart home. Why should hearing aid technology be any different? 

 

Your hearing aid, after all, is as much a part of you as your smartphone ― if not even more so. Hearing aid manufacturers are undoubtedly aware of that fact, which is why there's no shortage of hearing aid peripherals on the market. We've put together what we think are some of the coolest, most interesting, and most useful options, along with examples of each.

 

Remote Controls

Examples: Beltone Remote Control 2, Oticon Remote Control, Phonak Pilot One

 

Compact, portable, and wireless, remote controls offer a discrete alternative to smartphone apps when it comes to controlling and configuring your hearing aids. They can do a whole lot more than simply control volume and sound profiles, too. Many hearing aid remotes also allow you to control not just your device but anything it's connected to, as well, be that a TV, a music player, or even your phone. 

 

Standalone Receivers

Examples: ReSound Micro Mic, Beltone myPAL, Phonak Roger Touchscreen Mic

As anyone who's ever tried to converse in a bustling restaurant or sit through a large meeting will attest, even the best hearing aid can only do so much to cancel out background noise. That's where this gadget comes in. If you need to hear your conversation partner in a busy environment, simply have them clip a microphone onto their clothing or wear it on an attached lanyard. 

Some microphones, like Phonak's Roger Touchscreen, even have the option to switch between one-on-one and group conversation modes.

 

Bluetooth Connectors

Examples: Phonak ComPilot II

Most modern hearing aids have built-in Bluetooth functionality. But that doesn't mean they can pair easily with every device. Bluetooth connectors act as a bridge between the hearing aid and whatever device you want to stream audio from. 

This could be just about anything, from a TV to a game console to a computer. Better yet, connectors like Phonak's ComPilot II allow your hearing aid to pair with multiple devices and accessories simultaneously. Some even include cables so you can stream from devices that don't support Bluetooth.

 

Advanced Charging Options

Examples: Rexton Smart Power Charger, Signa Active Charger, Humavox POD

Most hearing aids need to be charged every night in order to remain functional. Most of the time, this involves a fairly bog-standard charging dock. Pop your hearing aid into the dock, leave it overnight, and you're good. 

Plenty of manufacturers have decided to take things a little further. Some, like the Rexton Smart Power Charger, combine the functionality of a dry box with a charging station. Others, like the Humavox POD, support wireless charging for all compatible hearing aids. Still, others offer features like on-the-go charging, charge indicators, and rapid charging.

 

TV Transmitters

Examples: ReSound TV Streamer 2, Oticon TV Adapter, Artone TVB

We'll be frank ― most TV networks still feature abysmally bad closed captioning. Even Netflix has moments where it falls woefully short, with subtitles either lacking accuracy or ending up as a garbled mess. Enter the TV transmitter

Armed with this device, you'll no longer need to sit there puzzling over what the phrase "sobbing mathematically" is supposed to mean. Instead, you can simply connect your hearing aid, turn on your TV, and start watching.

There's a wide range of specialized transmitters to choose from as well, including versions that work specifically with streaming services like Spotify.

 

Choose the Right Peripherals for You

In general, every hearing aid manufacturer has its own version of the accessories described above. Your audiologist can help you select the right options for both your needs and your specific brand of hearing aid. And failing that, the manufacturer's website is also a valuable resource. 

Either way, you're bound to find the right accessories for you. 

Whether you want to enhance your sound quality, connect your hearing aid to your smart home, listen to a conversation partner in a bustling environment, or do something else entirely, HearingPlanet can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.




 

 

  

  

  

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