Hearing aid accessories are crucial tools designed to enhance your auditory experience. They can improve clarity in noisy environments and allow seamless streaming of your favorite music, thereby boosting the functionality of your hearing aids.
Moreover, many accessories are compatible with various generations of hearing aids. This means that if you upgrade to a newer model from the same manufacturer, your existing accessories will likely still be usable.
Selecting the right accessories not only enhances your current hearing experience but also protects your investment for the future. Let’s explore the world of hearing aid accessories…
Types of Hearing Aid Accessories
Here is an outline the main types of hearing aid accessories and their benefits.
Remote Microphones
Remote microphones are designed to capture sound from a distance, making them ideal for situations where the speaker is far from the listener or in noisy environments. The microphone is placed near the speaker, and the sound is transmitted wirelessly to the listener’s hearing aids. These are often used in educational settings, conferences, or any scenario requiring a clear audio connection over a distance.
Table Microphones
Perfect for smaller meetings or family gatherings, table microphones capture sound from multiple directions and are typically placed in the center of a table to pick up speech from several people. The audio is then sent directly to the user’s hearing aids. These microphones often feature omnidirectional or multiple directional settings to evenly capture sound from all directions, making gatherings more inclusive and enjoyable.
Directional Microphones
Directional microphones focus on sound from a specific direction while suppressing noise from other directions. They are particularly useful in noisy environments where it’s essential to concentrate on a particular sound source, such as a conversation partner in a busy restaurant. Most modern hearing aids have integrated directional microphones that automatically adjust based on the sound environment, effectively filtering out background noise.
TV Streamers
TV streamers connect to your television, usually via an optical output, and stream audio directly to your hearing aids. This can be done via Bluetooth or other technologies like 2.4GHz wireless broadcasting. TV streamers provide a personalized listening experience without disturbing others in the room, allowing you to adjust the sound to your hearing needs while others enjoy the TV at a comfortable volume.
Remote Controls
Remote controls offer a convenient way to adjust various hearing aid settings without touching the hearing aids themselves. This can be particularly useful for making discreet adjustments in public settings.
All-in-One Accessories
Many modern hearing aid accessories combine multiple features into one device. For example, the Phonak Roger On In serves as a remote microphone, table microphone, and TV streamer all in one, offering versatile functionality in a single accessory.