06/18/2019
Whats new in 2019?
Hearing aids have come a long way since the first behind-the-ear models were developed in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, you might remember what some of these devices looked like: big, bulky, beige, and very noticeable. They would sit uncomfortably behind the ear and amplify all the sounds around you. Now, fast forward to 2019 – hearing aids look more like something out of a James Bond movie than the big medical devices your grandparents used to wear.
Every year, manufacturers like Signia, Starkey, Oticon, and Phonak introduce new products and technology upgrades that are on par with the latest smartphones. That being said, here are just a few groundbreaking hearing aid innovations to look out for in 2019.
Whether you’re at a local coffee shop, home goods store, or at a park, you can be sure to find people staring down at the glowing screen that is in their hands. Moreover, with new Apple iPhones and Android devices coming out year after year, there is no doubt that smartphones will eventually replace landline phones for good. Although you don’t need a smartphone to operate a hearing aid, it can definitely make it easier to adjust settings and change programs. This comes with many benefits for the user, as it gives them more control over the way they hear in any environment. One major benefit of hearing aids with smartphone connectivity is the ability to adjust the volume, bass, and treble through an app. Older hearing aid models required either a visit to the specialist’s office for adjustments or fiddling around with the device itself. With the smartphone app, you can discreetly change settings and make adjustments on your own – without anyone noticing. Basically, the app serves as a remote control for your hearing aids.
Recently, Signia released a high-tech, slim, and stylish hearing aid called Styletto. Available in three different color combinations – Dark Granite and Silver, Cosmic Blue and Rose Gold, or Snow White and Rose Gold – Styletto breaks the mold of traditional BTE hearing aids. Styletto’s contemporary design makes it feel more like a fashion accessory rather than a medical device. It has a thin housing and speaker tube, making it incredibly discreet when worn. In addition to its cosmetics, Styletto delivers outstanding sound quality thanks to the new Signia Nx platform. And you never have to worry about replacing batteries, because Syletto offers portable rechargeability. Just one 3-hour charge gives you 19 hours of full-day use.
2019 is not just about fashionable hearing aids. Phonak recently introduced one of the most advanced hearing aid technologies that offers excellent performance, speech understanding and sound quality. Marvel is a new hearing aid platform that is available for the Phonak Audéo™ M model. So, what makes Marvel so marvelous?
• AutoSense OS™ 3.0: AutoSense delivers exceptional sound quality, better speech understanding in noise, reduced listening effort, and a rich sound experience when streaming.
• Bluetooth wireless streaming: Stream audio from any Bluetooth device directly into your hearing aids.
• Built-in microphones: Have hands-free phone conversations from your iPhone or Android device.
• Rechargeable: Ditch the batteries and enjoy a full day of hearing on a single charge.
• Smartphone apps: Fine-tune your settings, adjust the volume, and even transcribe phone conversations in real-time.
Starkey’s Livio AI is the first-ever BTE hearing aid to use artificial intelligence to provide superior sound quality and the ability to track your mental and physical health. This device is compatible with wireless devices, giving you direct access to your smartphone, remote microphone or TV streamer. Livio AI has even better noise management than its predecessors, as the devices can communicate with each other, which improves performance in background noise. Next, its smartphone app allows you to customize sound settings to low, mid, high, and ultra-high. A few more notable features you to need know about include:
• On-Board Sensors: Livio’s on-board sensors allow you to track brain and body activity. That way, you can monitor your overall health and reduce the risk of a variety of diseases.
• Translation: The smartphone app can actually translate speech from different languages. It will then send the translation to your hearing aids, which you can hear in whatever language you prefer.
• Fall detection: Because people with hearing loss tend to fall more, the Livio’s onboard sensors can track how many times you fall. This could potentially help you in the long run to be more conscious of any balance issues you may be experiencing due to hearing loss.
Set up an appointment for a free trial with a pair of any of these exciting new hearing aids! (843) 903-0635
