According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.”
Hearing aid technology has advanced at a rapid pace in recent years. One of the latest features is the ability for your hearing aids to act like wireless earbuds using Bluetooth® technology. However, not every hearing aid has this feature. Below we review how you can use your hearing aids like earbuds as well as how you can use actual headphones with your hearing aids.
Bluetooth-Enabled Hearing Aids
Most newer hearing aids offer Bluetooth technology, which allows you to wirelessly connect your hearing aids with other Bluetooth-compatible devices, such as your smart TV, laptop, tablet or smartphone. This makes listening to your favorite show, musician or podcast even easier.
It is important to note that using Bluetooth can drain your batteries faster than normal use.
Hearing Aids Without Bluetooth
If your hearing aids don’t have Bluetooth technology, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your favorite media in public places like Sunergos Coffee in Louisville. It just means you’ll need to add another device, like headphones. You should know it may also take some trial and error to find a setup that works for you.
If You Have In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
If you have in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, you will probably have an easier time finding headphones that work for you. On-ear or over-the-ear headphones are the styles that are most compatible with this type of hearing aid. Earbud-style headphones may work with invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids, as these sit deep in the ear canal.
If You Have Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids
If you have behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, over-the-ear headphones will work best. It is important that the cushion of the headphones fits entirely over the hearing aid’s microphone. If it doesn’t, the hearing aid may pick up external sounds in addition to whatever you are listening to through your headphones.
For more information about which headphone style will work best with your type of hearing aid or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, contact Heuser Hearing Institute today.