May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!

Do you have hearing loss? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Nearly 40 million Americans of all ages are struggling to hear, and that’s why new technology is always being developed to help you hear. From hearing aids to T-coils to smartphone apps, you’ll be amazed at all the ways you’ll be able to hear.

American Speech Language Hearing Association

Each May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) raises awareness around speech, language, and communication disorders. For over 90 years, the ASHA has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month, encouraging Americans to look after their hearing, and overcome communication disorders. The theme for 2019 is “Communication Across the Lifespan” and you can find out more about Better Hearing and Speech Month by visiting http://www.asha.org/bhsm/. The ASHA supports the use of technology to help you hear, and below are some of the best new hearing technologies that will help people of all ages hear.

Audio Streaming Technology

Many modern hearing aids have sophisticated audio streaming technology, allowing you to connect your hearing aids to your phone, computer, or TV, so that audio streams right to your ears. You’ll never have to strain to understand a phone conversation, driving directions, or enjoy your favorite song, and you’ll have clear hearing right in your ears. Using Bluetooth technology, you’ll wirelessly link your hearing devices with the technology you use the most for effortless connection and communication.

Hearing Loops and T-Coils

Another leap forward in hearing technology is the use of hearing loops in large venues like movie theatres, stadiums, and even airports. If you have a hearing aid that’s fitted with a T-Coil, you can connect directly to the hearing loop, and have all the audio, PA announcements, and programing played right to your ears. “In an echo environment like a church or synagogue, you flip to the telecoil and, boom, you can hear like magic,” says Cynthia Compton-Conley, PhD, director of consumer technology initiatives at the Hearing Loss Association of America. You’ll never have to strain to follow what’s being said on stage, but can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Smartphone Apps to Help You Hear

One area that’s advanced a lot in the last couple years is in the development of smartphone apps that can help you hear. While these apps can’t rival hearing aid technology, they can come in handy in certain situations.

An app we all love is the Deaf Wake Clock. This app is the best alarm for those with hearing loss, and you’ll never need to worry about being late to work ever again. The app uses your phone’s LED light, vibration, and other flashing lights to get you out of bed in the morning. You can choose between a flashing screen, a camera flash, and other settings so that you won’t have to rely on your hearing to wake you up in the morning.

Another app that’s sure to come in handy is Connect by BeWarned. This app easily converts speech into text and text into speech, so that if you’re having a hard time understanding what someone is saying, you can have the person speak into your phone, and it will automatically show you the text version of what’s been said. It will also convert text to speech, so you can type something and then have the app read what you’ve typed.

Finally, the Subtitles Viewer! is a must for anyone with hearing loss. At home you can always use subtitles on your computer or TV, but when you go to a movie theater, or are at a friend’s house, you often miss some important plot lines. The Subtitles Viewer app has a huge library of subtitles for shows and movies, and you can even pick between different languages like English, Spanish, French, and German.

Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services

If you’ve been struggling to hear, don’t wait any longer, but visit us today to find out about the technologies that will help you hear. Celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month with us, and check out our latest hearing aids that are designed to match your unique hearing needs, and help you hear in every listening environment. Call us today at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services to make an appointment for a hearing test.