What are the Best 7 Features of Hearing Devices?

The best features of hearing devices come down to the needs of the individual. What is most important for one person may not be as important for someone else. Many things contribute to selecting a suitable hearing device, and we will explore some in this post.

1. Channels

Your hearing aid will likely have between one and eight channels. The more you can hear, the better! Of course, that is not always possible based on your level of hearing loss or damage to the hair cells in your cochlea or auditory nerve.

2. Wind suppression

If you live in a windy area, this feature will be one of the most important. Wind noise is very loud and can interfere with your ability to hear what people are saying if it is not blocked out by advanced technology. The best hearing devices have many microphones that work together as well as other technologies such as sound directionality and digital signal processing (DSP). These features allow for up to a 90% reduction in wind noise!

3. Directionality

When shopping for a hearing device, you may have noticed this feature is called “Zoom.” Directionality is the ability to focus on a particular direction and block out sounds from other directions. So, for example, if someone in front of you speaks while birds are chirping behind you, that sound would be blocked with proper directionality.

4. Appearance

Appearance is a big consideration for many people. Fortunately, manufacturers have made significant advancements in this area, and there are styles to suit every personality! So whether you want something high-end or would rather wear an inconspicuous device, you can choose from many options.

5. Feedback suppression

Feedback is that very unpleasant squealing or whistling sound you hear when the microphone picks up the speaker too closely. If this happens, it can be extremely irritating and frustrating! It usually indicates a problem with how your device is programmed to work best for you.

6. Speech enhancement

This is one of the most important features to consider when purchasing a hearing device. Speech enhancement allows for some parts of speech, such as consonants and sibilants, to be amplified so that they are easier to hear while other sounds can be filtered out or reduced in volume.

7. Noise reduction

For many people, noise reduction is very important. This feature can be particularly beneficial for someone who works in a noisy environment such as construction or on an airplane- it may not always be possible to wear earplugs! In addition, noise reduction features work especially well with the wind suppression technology mentioned above, making them invaluable if you live in a windy area. There are many other features of hearing devices, but these are some of the most important things to consider before making an investment in better hearing. Luckily, today’s technology has made great strides toward offering individuals improved quality of life and better hearing.