Your world is filled with sound — sounds you don’t want to miss, like your grandchild in the school play or a phone conversation with an old friend. This year, refresh your connection with the sounds of your world with these five simple tips for better hearing.
Schedule a Hearing Check.
It’s easy to make better hearing a family affair by scheduling hearing evaluations for the whole household. How often? At least once a year, just as you would for your eyes or teeth. Staying atop your hearing health helps catch any potential changes or problems early, which is important for overall wellness.
Tap Into Technology
Today’s technology can turn any alerting sound into a visual or vibratory cue, allowing doorbells, smoke alarms, and more to alert using flashing lights or vibrations. Smartphones can stream audio directly to hearing aids and may also caption videos or flash visual alerts for incoming calls. Another innovation: We now even have hearing aid technology compatible with telehealth care.
Get in the Loop
Did you know your favorite public places — museums, theaters, churches, and more — may have installed a hearing loop around their venue, letting you receive enhanced audio by wirelessly connecting through the T-coil setting on your hearing aid? Look for the hearing-loop logo at participating venues.
Protect Your Assets
Noise-induced hearing loss affects 10 million children and adults nationwide, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it’s as easily prevented as it is caused. Whether enjoying New Year fireworks, riding snowmobiles, or encountering other sources of loud sounds, limit your exposure and wear quality hearing protection.
Try Captioned Calls
Trouble hearing telephone conversations? You may qualify for a landline phone that shows the spoken words of the person you’re talking to. It’s free if a qualified hearing care professional certifies your hearing loss and need for the phone, and it works with hearing aids. All you need is a standard phone line and an Internet connection.