Support an Active Lifestyle with Hearing Aids

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Dr. Steinberg has been treating individuals with hearing loss, tinnitus, and other auditory conditions for over ten years. Prior to founding Elite Hearing Center he was director of audiology at Chicago ENT, a prestigious Ear, Nose, and Throat Practice. During his doctorate level training at Rush University, he worked closely with Dr. Patricia McCarthy, a world-renowned expert in auditory rehabilitation. He has presented in state and national conventions in the areas of auditory rehabilitation and hearing instrument technology. He has worked with top auditory researchers in the industry developing advanced technology used in today’s most sophisticated hearing instruments.

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A common reason people often delay treating their hearing loss is because they want to avoid wearing hearing aids. Comments like “they’re too bulky”, “I don’t want to feel old”, and “I won’t be able to do the things I want to do” are common and are usually informed by misconceptions people have about hearing aids. There are numerous myths about hearing aids that are far from the reality of these devices. Hearing aids are an essential item for people with hearing loss. They provide ample support with absorbing and processing speech as well as sound which increases one’s hearing capacity. This offers countless life-changing benefits like transforming hearing, communication, relationships, and overall health.

Today’s hearing aids, like most electronic devices, have experienced exciting innovations over recent years. There is a wide range of features and technologies that are designed to easily integrate into everyday life, supporting hearing health optimally. Hearing aids have award winning designs that are sleek, making these devices wearable pieces of technology. There are also various hearing aids that also support an active lifestyle. People do not have to stop engaging in the activities they love because of hearing loss symptoms. Today’s hearing aids are designed to encourage and support living active and fulfilling lives.

Selecting Hearing Aids for an Active Lifestyle

There is a wide range of hearing aid options. This includes different styles, features, and technologies. Your hearing healthcare provider will help you navigate your options to ensure that you choose a device that is best for your lifestyle and hearing needs. There are several important factors that are used to identify the type of hearing aid that would be best for you. This includes:

the specifics of your hearing loss: type of hearing loss, degree of impairment in each ear etc.
the types of environments you regularly navigate including your work and social life.
any activities and hobbies you participate in including any sports or physically involved activities.
the features and technologies you are interested in.

It is important for you to think about these factors because they help illuminate what your hearing aids need to be able to do in order to support your hearing needs while navigating your everyday life.

Understanding IP Ratings

In addition to taking your lifestyle factors into consideration, another useful piece of information to take into consideration is a hearing aid’s IP rating. There is an IP (Ingress Protection) system that is used to rate all electronic devices. All electronic devices are sensitive to things like dirt, water, temperature and other agents or substances that can damage electrical components. To prevent hazardous elements from damaging the device, manufacturers use various ways to protect the device. For example, putting electronic components in a case which is common with a number of hearing aids.

A hearing aid’s IP rating is represented with two digits. The first digit represents how resistant the device is to debris (dirt, wind, earwax etc.) and the second digit indicates its resistance to moisture. Essentially, the higher the number the better – the better off your hearing aids will be if they are exposed to harmful substances like moisture. Most hearing aids offer an IP rating of IP68. This means that they will bounce back from being submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Though you should avoid this, this means that this is the maximum type of exposure your hearing aid can withstand.

Active lifestyles tend to require more sweat. If you participate in sports or physically demanding activities like swimming, biking, jogging, tennis etcThis likely means you sweat more and are exposed to more moisture. There are water resistant hearing aids that offer greater protection so knowing and looking for a device’s IP rating is useful.

Hearing Aid Features to Consider

There are several hearing aids features that support an active lifestyle. Knowing about the features that can benefit your active lifestyle is important. This includes:

Wireless connectivity: using Bluetooth technology, your hearing aids can connect to other devices to stream audio directly. This allows you to do things like listen to audio when engaging in physical activities.

Digital noise reduction: this feature reduces background noise and delivers sharp sound quality, making it easier to hear in more challenging listening environments.

Apps & virtual assistants: many of today’s hearing aids offer a downloadable app and virtual assistant which allows you to easily access and manage your hearing aid settings.