"Do I need Bluetooth connectivity?"

-
I am asked this question several times a week.

I think today's modern, digital, connected hearing aids are amazing. I have seen lives transformed by new hearing aids. But as far as deciding who needs Bluetooth enabled aids and who doesn't is not always so black and white.

Some people don't even know what "Bluetooth" is, but when you explain it to them, they love the idea behind it. Here are some suggestions for whether or not Bluetooth technology in your hearing aids is "needed":





  • Do you frequently talk on the phone, especially in the car? If so, Bluetooth technology can act as a "hands-free" system which, in some states, is required to legally talk on a cell phone while driving.


  • Do you like to listen to music through an iPod or other MP3 player but don't because of your hearing aids or fear you won't be able to if you get hearing aids?


  • Do you use Bluetooth technology with your other high-tech devices, such as laptops, televisions, etc.? It would only make sense that you would carry this technology over to something as important as your hearing aids.


  • Do you watch TV? It sounds like a silly question, but if you watch TV and wear hearing aids, even with high-end technology, you will likely still struggle to hear certain people and programs on television. Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids can allow you to use devices such as the GN ReSound Unite system www.gnresound.com/unite to wirelessly stream television to your hearing aids for optimal TV-watching, all without disturbing others.


Many of my patients, already in sticker-shock from the cost of hearing aids, balk at the idea of spending more money for Bluetooth technology. This is understandable, and certainly not for every hearing aid wearer. Communicate your concerns with your Audiologist. Most Audiologists got into this profession to help people. This technology clearly helps people.



Please do not hesistate to contact me with any questions you may have about Bluetooth technology. if I don't know the answer, I will certainly find someone who does know.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt

-
By: Dr. Dawn MacMillan, Audiologist "Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt" Mark Twain  "I watch PBS and most of the people have British accents..." "My wife mumbles when she talks to me..." "The checkers at <insert grocery store here> don’t speak clearly." "Our new pastor--his voice trails off..."  What do the above statements have in common? They’re all excuses we’ve heard when people try to explain to us that they don’t have hearing loss, they hear what they want to hear, and their difficulty understanding has everything to do with everyone else and not them. Sound familiar?  There’s no denying (see what we did there?) that accents, background noise, and distance can make conversations hard to hear. But adding hearing loss on top of factors we have little control over makes it that much more difficult to understand . The 5 stages of grief and loss are:  1. Denial and isolation;  2. Anger; 3. Bargaining 4. Depression;  5. Acceptanc
Read more

Let’s Talk S’more about preventing hearing loss! 

-
Image
By: Dr. Dawn H. MacMillan, Audiologist Happy National S'mores Day ! To celebrate, we are sharing with you tips on how to prevent hearing loss. Each day in our office, we treat patients who feel like they are doomed to have hearing loss because someone in their family has hearing loss. While there may be a greater likelihood of developing hearing loss in those with a genetic link, often times it is because unhealthy hearing habits are passed down from generation to generation! Nights spent under the lights at the racetrack with no hearing protection, mowing the lawn with no hearing protection, smoking--there are  things you can do to reduce your risk of hearing loss. 1.) Move away from the noise- This doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good outdoor concert. While being near the action may be good for your soul, it's bad for you hearing. By putting some distance between you and the noise source, you are reducing he level of hazardous noise reaching your ears which is g
Read more

Healthy Habits

-
Image
By: Dr. Dawn MacMillan, Audiologist Imagine this. You make the decision to eat better and lose a few pounds. You go to the grocery store and buy a cart full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. You arrive home from the grocery store, put all the food away. You are ready to take control of your waistline! But the next time you go into the kitchen for a snack, you pick up a sugary, pre-packaged snack made by a lady named Debby. You repeat this over the next week, eating lunches out when friends ask, foamy coffee drinks when the late afternoon slump hits. You step on the scale and are shocked! What?!? You didn’t lose a single pound! Are you really shocked? Of course not! The fruits and veggies you bought are moldy and furry! You bought the food but didn’t get in the habit of eating it. Hearing aids are no different. You can have the test, buy the aids, have them professionally fit and that fitting verified but if that’s all you do when you leave their office, the hearin
Read more