An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids.[1] That’s 28.8 million people who can enjoy clearer sound, easier connection and better background awareness. Learning to use your hearing aids effectively in noisy environments is crucial to enjoying the many benefits they offer.
Let’s look at three ways you can leverage your devices for better conversations in bustling areas like Friday nights at Park Lane Tavern or spring festivals around Williamsburg.
1. Adjust the Volume
You don’t need the same volume in a crowded restaurant that you do at a quiet library. Raising the volume on your devices is the first step in easier listening. Some devices will automatically raise the volume when you shift environments, while others require you to do so manually using the device’s physical buttons or a smartphone app.
2. Turn on Noise Suppression
Noise suppression separates speech from background noise. By amplifying only the speech, you can focus on what people are saying rather than on all the sounds their dishes make at the table. Noise suppression isn’t perfect, and you may hear the occasional clink of a fork on a plate, but by amplifying speech, your hearing aids make it easier for you to tune out these distractions. Like volume adjustments, your devices will either automatically enable noise suppression via AI sound processing, or you will need to do so in the smartphone app.
3. Employ Directional Microphones
All hearing aids have omnidirectional microphones that amplify sound equally from all directions. Some hearing aids also have directional microphones, which amplify sound from in front of and behind you—a crucial tool for communicating in noisy rooms. You can turn on directional microphones in your smartphone app, or your hearing aids will employ them automatically.
Like any tool, hearing aids work better when you know how to use and care for them. In addition to learning about their many helpful features, remember to schedule regular service appointments for a professional cleaning and programming check. Call Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy to schedule your service appointment.
[1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (n.d.). Quick statistics about hearing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing