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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSome of the more popular hearing aid accessories include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Wireless accessories.<\/strong> Utilizing Bluetooth\u00ae technology, wireless accessories enable you to hear better in situations where there is a lot of background noise or distance between you and the speaker. These include wireless microphones, remotes and television headsets. <\/li>
- Earwax filters.<\/strong> Filters prevent earwax, a leading cause of damage to electronic components, from entering the hearing aid. This helps prolong the life of the instrument and provides you with clear, natural sound. <\/li>
- Cleaning kits.<\/strong> Keeping your hearing aids clean can result in a longer life for your instruments. Cleaning kits give you a leg up on keeping your device in prime working condition. They typically include a wax removal brush and pick, a tube and vent cleaner, battery door opener and battery replacement magnet. <\/li>
- Charging stations. <\/strong>For those with rechargeable hearing aids, a charging station is essential. Instead of having to fiddle with the battery compartments, users can simply place their hearing aids in the cradle for a few hours to get a full day\u2019s worth of listening time. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Alerting Devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alerting devices hook up to telephones, alarm clocks, doorbells and other electronic devices. They alert you through a loud sound or flashing light, making you aware of an incoming phone call, a visitor at the door, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing Aid Dryer Kits <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Moisture and perspiration are enemies of the hearing aid and can cause intermittent amplification, if allowed to go unchecked. The best way to avoid any problems with moisture and perspiration is to use a hearing aid drying kit on a daily basis. This kit draws the moisture out of the hearing aids overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Batteries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most hearing aids use disposable zinc-air batteries that are color- and number-coded for easy replacement. The type of battery needed depends on the style and size of your hearing aids and includes: 5 (red), 10 (yellow), 13 (orange), 312 (brown) and 675 (blue). On average, batteries last five to seven days depending on the size and style of your hearing aids, your degree of hearing loss, the amount of time your hearing aids are used and your listening environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barrington Hearing Center<\/span> offers a Hearing Aid Battery Program for your convenience. You would prepay for 5 packets of batteries and receive the sixth packet at no charge. The batteries are mailed to your home only when you call to state that you want them sent. These batteries are guaranteed and are one of the longest lasting brands of batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rechargeable Batteries <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rechargeable hearing aids are one of the most requested features that hearing aid users are asking for. They free users from having to deal with the tiresome task of changing the batteries, performing daily battery tests and always carrying around extra batteries. Rechargeable batteries are also environmentally friendly as they save users from throwing away nearly 100 hearing aid batteries per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits of rechargeable batteries are plentiful: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Your charger can be your devices\u2019 overnight home so you don\u2019t have to worry about losing them.<\/li>
- You don\u2019t need to worry about having extra batteries on hand. <\/li>
- You will save time and money by not having to purchase disposable batteries. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When fully charged, the rechargeable batteries can provide a full day of listening for even the busiest individual. This length of time is affected by the length of time streaming is used during that day. The hearing aid may also include a fast-charging option, which gives uses a few hours of immediate use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assistive\nListening Devices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are portable systems that help individuals with hearing loss communicate more effectively. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sounds, ALDs work by separating speech from background noise. This allows the person with the hearing impairment to hear more clearly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some ALDs are used in conjunction with hearing aids, while others work as standalone devices. ALDs are useful in a number of situations, primarily those involving distance, poor acoustics and noisy backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are several different types of ALDs available, for both large facilities and personal use. Some focus on amplifying speech, while others utilize computer programs to convert text to speech. Some of the different types include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FM Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FM systems rely on radio signals to transmit amplified sounds directly to your hearing aid. They consist of a microphone, transmitter and receiver, and are used in a variety of public places such as classrooms, restaurants, movie theaters and churches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The microphone is worn by the person speaking (or placed in close proximity to the sound source) and the signal is broadcast from the transmitter to the receiver, which is tuned to a specific frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personal Amplifiers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Personal amplifiers are essentially small FM systems used in smaller, more intimate settings where radio signals are less effective; they are often used when watching television, traveling by car or spending time outdoors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The microphone is built directly into the unit, and is often directional, allowing you to aim it in the direction of the sound source in order to pick up the signal most effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Infrared Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Infrared systems work on the same principle as FM systems, but use infrared light instead of radio waves to transmit sound. The transmitter converts sound signals into light and beams those to the receiver, which then translates the light signal back into sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An advantage to infrared systems is the fact that their signal is unable to pass through walls as it does with FM systems, eliminating competing broadcasts that might hamper the listener and preventing confidential information from being disseminated. They are particularly useful in courtrooms and large movie theaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing Loops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loop, or induction loop, systems utilize electromagnetic energy to transmit sound directly to your hearing aid or cochlear implant. They consist of a sound source (public address systems are popular), an amplifier, a loop of wire and a receiver or telecoil (t-coil), a tiny wireless receiver built into many devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are in close proximity to the loop, you will receive clear sound free of background noise. Hearing loops can be connected to all types of audio sources, and are often set up in public facilities such as airports, churches and lecture halls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use the loop system only if your hearing aid is equipped with a t-coil. If you anticipate using a loop system at a religious facility or theater, be sure to inform your audiologist.<\/p>\n\n\n
- Earwax filters.<\/strong> Filters prevent earwax, a leading cause of damage to electronic components, from entering the hearing aid. This helps prolong the life of the instrument and provides you with clear, natural sound. <\/li>