Hearing aids provide sound clarity and amplification, improving the quality of life for many; in fact, nearly 28.8 million Americans stand to benefit from using hearing aids. To provide that improvement to quality social connection, hearing aids must be consistently advancing their technologies.
What’s to Expect
If you’re a hearing aid user or considering hearing aids, you may wonder what’s in store for 2024. This year, you can expect the following trends in hearing aid advancements, allowing you to better hear your Jittery Joe’s coffee chats:
Hearing aids and 2024:
- The continuation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR): AI isn’t a new technology for hearing aids and will likely continue to see advancements throughout the year. Some hearing aids can monitor fitness tracking features such as heart rate, and others offer augmented solutions such as language translation or captions. 2024 will likely see a progression with AI algorithms’ ability to adjust settings, further improving their performance in bustling settings. Additionally, some hearing aids may expand their ability to track vital signs or even identify health issues like high blood pressure early on.
- App, software and design improvements: Hearing aid apps can currently be used to track a wearer’s hearing health and monitor and adjust hearing settings. It’s expected that 2024 will bring a heightened ability to customize volume and frequency settings and will be even easier to navigate. Advanced microprocessing chips will allow hearing aids to operate more efficiently and continue to be designed to be even smaller and less detectable.
- More eco-conscious options: Hearing aids may begin to be designed with more environmentally friendly materials and recharging pods will continue to become smaller for improved charging convenience, reducing needed batteries.
- Bluetooth® capabilities expanding: Bluetooth offerings are expected to continue to evolve with hearing aids. Advancements in technology will allow hearing aids to have a more seamless integration with a broader range of devices. They will also allow discreet access to adjust settings or view health information in real-time.
Technologies like Bluetooth and AI are not new in the hearing aid industry, but 2024 will continue to advance the utilization of such technologies. Users can expect increased sound clarity, sleeker designs and more environmentally friendly options.
If you’re newly considering hearing aids, think you need an upgrade or want to help a loved one on a journey to better hearing, reach out to ENT of Athens to schedule an appointment today.