Technology nowadays surrounds our everyday life to a great extent and has made our lives faster, easier and more comfortable. The development of wireless hearing aids is one of the significant advancements that allows people with hearing difficulties to connect to the world in ways no one thought were possible. Wireless connectivity in hearing aids has made their life easier and they can go on about their life without having a tough time because of their hearing problem. There are many benefits of using wireless hearing aids as opposed to wired hearing aids, as the subsequent discussion explains. 

Wireless Hearing Aids

It’s important to first address what wireless hearing aids actually are. They are devices which enhance sound to correct hearing problems, but are also capable of connecting to other electronics without a wire. Through connecting to mobile phones and TVs, hearing aids can be used to stream audio directly into the user’s ear; so they can enjoy making phone calls and watching TV without being confused by background noise. It also enables control over the hearing device, by connecting to an app. Wired hearing aids may have similar capabilities, but it’s fair to say it does so in a less discrete way. 

Forms Of Wireless Connectivity

In order for hearing aids to communicate wirelessly with other devices, different wireless technologies can be used; such as bluetooth, FM systems and telecoils. Each type transmits sound via different media; including wavelengths, radio signals and electromagnetic fields, respectively. Understanding wireless technology for hearing aids is necessary to make an informed decision on which are better: wireless or wired hearing aids.

Bluetooth

The most up and coming technology being used in hearing devices, which allows wireless data exchange, is bluetooth; it works through streaming data from device to device via wavelengths. Bluetooth is used for a huge variety of uses besides its use in hearing aids.

Wireless Hearing Aids With Bluetooth Connectivity To Allow Streaming From Mobile Phones
Bluetooth Connectivity Allows Streaming Of Data Between Devices

RM-HAT: Remote Microphone Hearing Assistive Technology

This includes both FM and DM systems, which both use a microphone, worn by the speaker, and a receiver, worn by the listener. Now, you must’ve heard of FM radio; well, FM wireless communication also utilizes radio signals. For this reason, sound quality is a little compromised and, as you probably already know, radio signals are prone to interference. But, DM systems use digital signals for wireless transmission to hearing aids.

Telecoils

This type of wireless connectivity uses electromagnetic signals to transmit audio to hearing aids. Telecoils essentially uses a copper rod to bypass the need for a microphone, as the hearing aid transduces the electromagnetic signals directly into audio. As simple as this sounds, users often experience interference in the form of buzzing.

Why Wireless Hearing Aids Are The Real Deal 

From increasing the scope of hearing devices and decreasing their limitations, to giving the user immense control over the enhancement of sound; wireless hearing aids come with a multitude of pros. 

Let’s start with the direct connectivity between hearing aids and media. In today’s day and age, a huge portion of the audio we receive is actually not directly from a human being, but is instead delivered through an alternative medium - cell phones and TVs, primarily. Thus, if a device can be better suited to enhancing audios delivered through other electronic media, then surely it’s improving user experience tremendously.

Wireless connection also allows such hearing enhancers to connect to an app (downloaded onto a smartphone). For example, the Hear+Hi True Wireless Earphones allow control over the device and how it enhances sound by the user itself,through downloading and using the ‘My Acuity Hearing App’.

Sound quality is also more impressive with wireless hearing aids, particularly in bluetooth digital hearing aids; as they don't allow for interference and transmit audio directly as wavelengths. Improved noise canceling is yet another notable advantage of wireless hearing devices.

A Few Things To Consider 

With all these extra advantages come a few minor downfalls, including shorter battery life. This is a given, with more powerful hearing devices energy consumption and rate of battery drainage increases; however, the shortcoming is not so significant as it makes no real difference - wireless devices still last a whole day. 

One advantage wired headphones have is that they are cheaper, so if you’re looking for cheap hearing devices then don’t rule out wired hearing aids straight away.

Wireless Digital Hearing Aids, Particularly With Bluetooth, Are Better Than Wired Hearing Aids
Wireless Hearing Aids vs Non Wireless Hearing Aids

Wireless Hearing Aids It Is!

Wireless connectivity built into hearing aids has drastically improved the quality of life of those with hearing loss. Bluetooth hearing aids, in particular, have the ability to transmit speech signals, from their source into wireless hearing aids, with excellent sound quality. As this connectivity allows better communication with friends and family, wireless hearing aid wearers feel more socially included than those with ordinary hearing aids. Users can easily connect their hearing aids to phones, tablets, laptops and TVs; and can therefore use these devices just as a person without hearing loss would. They can watch movies, listen to music at a volume that matches their hearing ability. Moreover, in noisy surroundings they can hear more clearly due to the sound waves directly reaching their ears. Overall, wireless hearing devices help the hearing impaired to stay connected to the world around them; and does so in a discrete manner.

Wired hearing aids can restrict movement, as it’s not difficult to get tangled up in wire. Also, wires are often fragile and easily break. Although wireless hearing aids might be on the pricier side, investing in them is totally worth it. Better sound quality, improved convenience and easier life. Who doesn’t want that?

FAQs

Why Would You Need Bluetooth On A Hearing Aid?

Bluetooth connectivity in hearing aids has elevated the audio experience massively for users. It has enabled the hearing aids to be more personalized and matched to your hearing loss. You need bluetooth on your hearing aid if you wish to connect your hearing aid to your mobile phone, laptop or TV. This lets you stay connected to your friends and family more easily. You can listen to music, watch movies and even attend online meetings more easily. 

Are Wireless Hearing Aids Worth It?

Wireless hearing aids offer better sound quality. They allow you to receive audio information with less distortion and more clarity, which is even more beneficial when you are in a noisy environment. Another major advantage is that wireless hearing aids, with all their added usage benefits, don’t compromise much on battery life. With all these advantages we would say wireless hearing aids are definitely worth it.

Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids Better Than Regular Hearing Aids?

Whether bluetooth hearing aids are better than regular hearing aids or not depends on yourself. If you are a tech-savvy hearing aid user then, yes, bluetooth hearing aids provide you with better opportunities to stay connected with the world through your cell phone. They also deliver better sound quality and allow you to connect from any device with bluetooth output.