Introduction
As people get older, they experience hearing loss. Many people wear hearing aids to make up for this loss. However, hearing aids have a number of disadvantages. They are expensive and often cut off outside noises, making it hard to pick up on important sounds in a noisy room. These sounds may include alarms or the sound of a loved one calling you. To solve this problem, there are other hearing devices for elderly people that do not require ear tubes or dangerous surgery. These new devices are known as bone conduction hearing devices and will allow elderly people to hear better in noisy places and cut down on outside noise from entering the ear canal
Hearing devices are a wonderful way to help people who have diminishing hearing abilities. They are wireless and fit around the ear. Wearing them, older adults can hear better in noisy environments and stay independent for as long as possible. Hearing problems can be caused by a number of things including age-related hearing loss, background noise, and environmental allergies.
Elderly people tend to live in quieter houses compared to the younger generations do. This is due to them not hosting parties, not requiring background noise for production of goods, and their children are often gone on trips, vacations, or at work. The quiet nature of these homes can be dangerous to elderly people’s hearing. One way that elderly people protect their hearing is by wearing hearing aids.
8 Hearing Devices For Elderly People
1. Connexion By Starkey
Is a relatively new device that only has one ear piece. It is wireless and its design resembles that of a Bluetooth earpiece. The Connexion by Starkey is primarily made for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and folks who are hard of hearing. The device cannot be used if the person only needs one ear to hear with; it must be worn in both ears for optimum sound reception. Connection by Starkey comes with two pieces: a microphone and the receiver. The microphone is attached directly to the ear while the receiver, or transmitter, can clip onto clothing or sit around the neck, as in the photo on this page.
2. Audicus EHS-3
The Audicus EHS-3 is a bone conduction hearing device that was launched on Kickstarter in April 2015. This device features a lightweight, comfortable design attached to the ear. The EHS-3 also has two different sound modes which include soft and clear.
Within these different modes, the user can adjust the volume of the sound from 0 to 85 decibels and can quickly boost the volume using one of four button controls next to the earpiece. Furthermore, a directional microphone lets users talk without lowering the volume level or blocking out background noise around them.
3. Starkey Oto
The Starkey Oto features a small, lightweight device that is worn in one ear. The Oto is primarily intended for people who have moderate to severe hearing loss and will be more comfortable wearing it than conventional hearing aids. The Oto is also designed for people with bilateral hearing loss, as the device can be programmed to fit in both ears. The device can work on rechargeable batteries or it can be plugged in to the wall while the battery is being charged. This option allows users to take their phone or MP3 player with them when they go out, rather than having it shut off during a call or leaving music playing in the background when they cannot hear a word someone says.
4. Sordio
Sordio is a personalized bone conduction hearing device that can be used by anyone. The Starkey Sordio has the ability to identify certain sounds before they reach the brain, which automatically alters the speech signal to include that sound. This makes it easier for people who have conditions such as tinnitus , hypersensitivity to noise, or tremor to hear with this device. It can also be programmed with various personalized settings, like activating an alarm when a user turns his or her head away from the microphone or speaks into it while speaking with an older person.
5. Phonak NEO
The Phonak NEO is a bone conduction hearing device that can be used right out of the box. It is a great, low-cost option that offers the same clarity one would expect from the more expensive models. Furthermore, it doesn’t need to be plugged into a power source. The NEO is also powered by AAA batteries.
6. Sound-Lite Hearing Aid System
The Sound-Lite Hearing Aid System is an intelligent hearing device that has been used by people since 1984. The device helps to make up for the fact that older adults get less exposure to sound over time, which can lead to hearing loss and other issues such as tinnitus . The Sound-Lite is worn on the ear and provides for general hearing, as well as identification of sounds. It also comes with subtle vibrating adjustments of volume, hearing aid mode, and battery indicator.
7. Sordio Bone Conduction System
The Sordio Bone Conduction System is a bone conduction hearing device that is meant to be used in one ear. It functions by sending the sound into the bone instead of the ear canal. Most people wear these devices in one ear to hear better when talking to others but the type of user can also select between “soft” or “clear” settings and programmed alarms. This makes it easy to switch between languages or varying levels of background noise when necessary.
8. Starkey Lite
The Starkey Lite is another bone conduction hearing device that can be used by anyone. It offers advanced features and a lightweight, comfortable design that can be easily worn in one ear or both ears. It is also another budget option and comes with an adjustable volume control and a way to block out background noise when necessary.
Conclusion
The best hearing devices for seniors are the ones they are most comfortable with and will use throughout their lives. Those devices should meet their expectations and be as effective as they want them to be. In other words, this is a very personal topic. One hearing device might be best for one person, while the other may not be ideal for another person. However, if you are looking for a great budget alternative, then the Phonak Neo or Starkey Lite would be great options to consider.
The best hearing devices are those that are easy to wear and use as well as effective at allowing seniors to hear conversation and enjoy life to the fullest. Effective hearing devices will also protect against further hearing loss by blocking out background noise and allowing patients to hear more clearly with clarity and volume regulation. This way of protecting the inner ear from further damage is much better than simply masking the problem with various medications.