Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Adriana Villalobos, M.A. CCC-A
Do you remember what a cell phone or computer looked like ten years ago? Now think about the changes in technology in TVs and vehicles over the past ten years. Mind Blowing! Well hearing aid technology has advanced just as much. Even more significant changes have taken place in the last three years. In my 30+ years of experience fitting hearing aids I have seen the advances in the science of hearing devices and how they are helping people with hearing loss today. When I first began mu practice in the early 90’s we were just starting to have digitally programmed devices. Now we have highly sophisticated hearing devices with digital sound technology and the precision of fit is amazing!
Directional Microphones: Microphone technology has become smarter than ever. Depending on the noise levels detected in the environment, the microphones can focus in the direction the person wearing the hearing aid is facing as well as towards the person speaking. This advancement is what helps people with hearing aids hear better in groups and noise.
Bluetooth Streaming: Streaming the audio for phone calls and media audio has helped people with hearing loss hear phone conversations and videos clearly as well as enjoy music so much more!
Tinnitus Therapy: Sound therapy is an option for those with bothersome tinnitus and now has more sound source options and ways to help reduce the awareness of tinnitus.
Applications or Apps for both iPhone and Android Smart phones: These apps are great for adjusting the hearing aids settings and not only volume levels. Some allow for health monitoring and even translation to other languages.
Assistive Devices: Remote microphones and television streamers are two examples of accessories available to enhance listening in difficult environments. These can make a big difference for the person who really struggles with speech clarity even with proper fitting hearing aids.
I find these to be the most impactful in daily life for the person wearing hearing aids, but there are many more advances in technology which I haven’t mentioned here that make fitting hearing aids more individualized and make fine tuning them a breeze. To learn more, contact Adriana at 239-777-2089 or visit our website at www.AVaudiology.com for more information.
Almost all hearing aids on the market today have these technologies available. Hearing better has never been easier!
Why Choose Adriana?
Adriana Villalobos, M.A. CCC-A, has been an Audiologist in Naples since 1999. Adriana is a 1991 graduate of the University of Texas and winner of the Sertoma Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Throughout her more than 30 years of experience as an Audiologist, Adriana has worked in an array of environments, including completing her clinical fellowship at Houston Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in Houston, Texas. Adriana’s specialties include fitting and dispensing services, as well as Assistive Listening Device technology. These specialties allow her to create individualized solutions for her patients in order to meet their unique hearing needs. Adriana is a Bilingual Spanish Speaker and also volunteers her time to assist with the large Spanish speaking community in need in Southwest Florida.
239-777-2089
www.avaudiology.com
