Hearing loss can make it harder to hear when you’re in crowded places like a convention center or a busy restaurant.
Hearing aids can help you hear better in busy environments by working to suppress background noise and amplify the speech of those around you. However, not all hearing aids are the same when it comes to improving your ability to hear in crowds.
Advanced Hearing Aid Technology Is Best for Understanding Speech
A study published in 2021 wanted to determine how different hearing aid technology levels affected listener outcome measures and preferences. Participants were fitted with hearing devices that were programmed at either basic or premium technology levels.
While data from participants showed similar results between basic and premium versions on most measures, both noise acceptance and satisfaction for hearing speech in large groups were significantly improved when using premium devices.
Current and Future AI Hearing Aid Features
Current AI hearing aids work to mimic the way the brain processes sound naturally. As opposed to using pre-set programs for different environments, AI technology listens to the countless sounds you hear on a daily basis and makes millions of tiny adjustments in real-time to help you hear better.
Additionally, new technology is on the horizon that may actually allow your hearing aids to help you read lips and home in on specific voices in a crowd. This technology would include a handheld camera that you point at whoever is speaking. The camera would use machine learning AI to read the lips of whomever you are focusing on and then amplify that speaker’s voice directly to your hearing aids.
Hearing Aids and Social Connections
While some of this technology is a bit far away from being widely available, all hearing aids make it easier to understand speech and keep us connected to others. The easier it is to understand what others are saying, the more you can enjoy social interactions, whether grabbing a cup of coffee with an old friend, visiting the Sioux City Public Museum or catching up at a big family get-together.
If you’ve noticed that your hearing seems muffled or that you need others to repeat themselves more frequently, these could be early signs of hearing loss. Getting a hearing test and a proper diagnosis can help determine what kind of hearing aids or other hearing devices can help you keep your social connections strong.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.