To get the most out of your hearing aids, it’s essential to know how to work the controls. Let’s look at a few of the more common controls and programs as well as how to utilize them.
Standard Hearing Aid Controls
While different models have different layouts and a few different controls, three of the most commonly found options are On/Off, Volume, and Program.
While these are all quite basic and self-explanatory, the buttons on hearing aids tend to be small and sometimes hard to find. Before leaving with your first pair of hearing aids, make sure to talk with your audiologist about how to enable these features and any special programs you have on your device.
Hearing Aid Programs for Different Environments
In addition to the basics, there are also many options for specific hearing aid programs for different environments. Some popular choices include:
- Directional programs: This lets you set your hearing aids to focus on sounds coming directly in front of you. It can be very helpful in noisy environments where you’re trying to have a conversation, like lunch with your friend at Roosters.
- Music programs: By default, hearing aids are programmed to help you better understand speech. Listening to music with these programs can sound off. Specific music programs allow you to better appreciate the complexity of songs, whether at a live show or listening to your favorite records at home.
- Driving programs: These programs can help cut out the background noise and low pitch humming that comes with driving a car. This can make it easier for you to hear other important sounds when driving, like sirens or honking horns.
- Telecoil: Certain hearing aids come equipped with a small, wireless receiver known as a telecoil. They can connect to hearing loop systems found in larger areas like arenas, churches and airports and allow audio from a public address system or similar technology to transmit sound directly into your hearing aid.
Choosing Your Hearing Aid Features
Because of the different levels of technology offered, choosing what hearing aid programs are right for you may come down to individual preferences and factors like age, noise tolerance and your degree of hearing loss.
A study of new hearing aid users found that using hearing aids with premium technology significantly improved noise acceptance, satisfaction for speech in a large group, and overall satisfaction with their device. However, because everyone is different, it’s best to talk with your audiologist about your specific needs when deciding on the right hearing aids.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Premier Medical Group today.