Being a brand new hearing aid owner, you’re likely to be curious about the various accessories and add-ons that you can get. In this article we provide an introduction to common hearing aid accessories that you may want to consider. Some accessories work only with a specific hearing aid model, but all these broad suggestions are appropriate for nearly every hearing aid user.
The first thing you should think of is less an accessory than a necessity; stock up on batteries, because you are going to need them. Disposable batteries used in hearing aids tend to last, depending on how many hours you wear them, for 5 to 14 days.
A dehumidifier is optional, but a very good idea. The electronics in hearing aids are very susceptible to damage from moisture. You place the aids into the dehumidifier at night, when you’re not wearing them. Cleaning kits are available to keep the exterior of your hearing aids clean. Ear wax filters help keep wax from accumulating on the aids when you are wearing them.
There are various Bluetooth extensions for specific hearing aids that will extend their capabilities. You can stream sound to your digital hearing aids directly from compatible mobile phones, music players and even the TV using the Bluetooth connection standard. Having a Bluetooth connection to these devices means that you don’t have to sit near them or turn the sound up to enjoy them.
An alternative for people with analog hearing aids is using an FM system to relay TV and stereo sounds at a distance. You place the microphone and transmitter near the sound source and the receiver amplifier close to your hearing aid. These low-cost FM systems can be an advantage in noisy environments or those shared with other people; you can hear conversations spoken in a normal tone of voice near you while also hearing music or the TV played from much further away.
There are constantly new hearing aid accessories being introduced. If you have questions about these or any others, just ask. Smart selection of accessories goes a long way toward maintaining and enjoying your aid.