Hearing aids have changed significantly in the last few years. If your aids are more than five years old, or you're comparing what's available, here's what's most likely to affect your day-to-day experience.
Modern aids use deep neural networks — software trained on millions of real-life sounds — to separate speech from background noise. A 2024 study following 40 wearers over two weeks found consistent satisfaction with sound quality even in very noisy places, compared to much lower satisfaction with traditional aids as noise increased. The aids detect whether you are in a restaurant, a windy street, or a quiet room, and adjust automatically.
Many new wearers find their own voice sounds boomy or hollow at first. This is called the occlusion effect and it is very common — around one in six new wearers experience it at a moderate or severe level. If it bothers you after a few weeks, tell us. Several manufacturers now offer Own Voice Processing technology, which specifically improves how your voice sounds to you without affecting how you hear others.
Rechargeable aids place the device in a small case overnight and are ready the next morning. For anyone who finds tiny batteries fiddly, a clinical trial found older adults rated rechargeable aids highest for ease of use. If dexterity is a challenge, it is worth discussing rechargeable options with us.
A small device clipped to a speaker's lapel sends their voice directly to your aids, improving speech recognition by 10 to 20 decibels compared to your aids alone in a noisy or distant situation. Useful for lectures, group meals, and driving. Ask us whether a remote microphone system is compatible with your aids.
Technology changes quickly. If you are unsure whether newer options might help you, a review appointment is the best place to start — call 0191 5111 878.
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Book a follow-up to fine-tune your aids, or have a chat with our hearing assistant any time.