Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2019

ADVANCEMENTS IN HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D. L ike all high-tech devices, hearing aids have improved significantly over the past several years in terms of per- formance and advancements. Today’s hearing aids still amplify sounds, but thanks to digital and technological ad- vances, they’re much smarter and more selective in what they amplify. Like phones that now do a lot more than just let you talk to people, hearing aids can do a lot more than just make sounds easier to hear. Help with Hearing in Noise One of the biggest challenges people with hearing loss have is hearing in noisy places like restaurants or at social gatherings. It’s not that they can’t hear, it’s that they can’t hear clearly. It’s all one muddled mass of sound and the voices of the people they’re with don’t stand out. The best of today’s hearing aids remedy those challeng- es with directional microphones and noise reduction tech- nology. Programmed specifically to your hearing, they’re designed to help you focus on speech from a certain di- rection. Noise reduction makes listening more comfortable, allowing you to focus on who or what you want to hear. Wireless Connectivity One of the most popular new advances is wireless hear- ing aids. With wireless, sound from your TV, computer or phone is streamed right into your ears at the volume you choose and control. This direct connection results in more immersive, enhanced sound as you’re now able to listen at the volume you want without having to turn the volume up loud in the room. And innovative accessories enable you to seamlessly switch between different settings (like remote microphone which lets you hear as though you are standing right next to the presenter) and different devices. You can also remotely con- trol your hearing aids. Other Advances to Ask About When talking to your audiologist, ask about other features that can have an impact on how your hearing aids sound and perform, including: moisture, wax and oil barrier (ad- vancements in mechanical design and protective coating help make hearing aids wear and wax/oil repellent); chan- nels (additional channels allow your audiologist to create customized settings for different sound frequency ranges; ear-to-ear processing (means that both your hearing aids “work together”) to create a better listening experience. Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney. HEARING SERVICES of M c Kinney Better Hearing Keeps You Connected! • Staffed by 3 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology • Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs • Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings • Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids • Hearing Evaluations For All Ages • Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions • Battery Purchase Programs • Custom Ear Protection • Assistive Devices • 28 Years of Experience Locally Owned and Operated Financing Options Available Mon-Fri: 8:30am- 5:00pm Other times available by appt. “Hearing Services of Mckinney is my #1 place to go for my hearing loss needs. Caring and dedicated professionals with many years of experience working daily to meet your needs”. – Terry G. Box, Retired Collin County Sheriff 972.838.1300 www.hearinmckinney.com 4201 Medical Center Dr, Suite 270 Across from Medical Center of McKinney LIZ BRASSINE, Au.D. DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 37

Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2019 | Page 39