Hearing aids have come a long way since the days whereby they were just clunky beige devices that did only basic amplification. While such very basic models still exist (typically those under $1,000 per piece), these days, even entry-level models costing around $2,000-$3,000 come with a rich set of features. Some of these are arguably more essential than other, but as individuals, our preferences and priorities may vary. With that said, let’s take a look at what are some of the latest hearing aid features that you should know about.
Introducing Signia – A Popular Hearing Aid Brand In Singapore
A major brands of hearing aids in Singapore in 2023 is Signia. A brand from Danish company WS Audiology, Signia is a global leader in hearing assistance technology. Its hearing aids are priced competitively in Singapore against rival brands such as ReSound and Phonak. For the purpose of this article, we will be looking at their Pure Charge&Go X hearing aid to see what are some of the features of modern hearing aids that you should know about if you are in the market for a new device. If you are new to hearing aid devices, do note that within each model, there are “sub-models” of varying technology levels (i.e. varying levels of features enabled) as well, and pricing will be greatly influenced by the sub-model chosen.
Standout Hearing Aid Features Of Signia Pure Charge&Go X
Rechargeable Batteries
Hearing aids with rechargeable batteries are arguably more convenient than those using replaceable batteries. With rechargeables, all you have to do is place the devices back into its charging case each night, versus having to replace batteries every few days and run the risk of the replaceable batteries depleting while you are out and about.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth connectivity in Pure Charge&Go X (another hearing aids with this feature) allows you the convenience of being able to stream phone calls, music and even TV sounds directly to the hearing aid.
Signia has an app that allows users to control the hearing aids via smartphone and adjust settings on the fly. The Signia app also allows users to contact with their hearing care professional for support on-the-go.
In-Device Sensors And Digital Sound Processing
Different companies will have their own digital sound processing technologies for their hearing aids. The suite of technology used by Signia Pure Charge & Go X is called Signia Xperience. These technologies include Dynamic Soundscape processing, Own Voice processing, and motion sensing to enable users to hear important sounds naturally and with greater clarity in various situations.
Wind Noise Screening
The ability to effectively screening out wind noise is more important than you think. Wind blowing against hearing aids can cause loud, annoying buffeting noise in the devices. Good wind screening will make the hearing aid much more friendly to use outdoors.
Degree Of Adjustability Of Amplification
One of the most important hearing aid features may be the degree of adjustability in the amplification of sounds. The more adjustable it is, the better the device will be able to customised to the user’s hearing loss profile. When there are fewer points of adjustability, a larger block of sound frequencies are affected by each adjustment. The resulting profiles are thus more “blocky” and this may have an impact on how well users can hear and understand speech, for instance. Conversely, more adjustment points allow for finer tuning and this should result in better clarity.
Audition The Hearing Aids Before Committing To A Purchase
When you visit a hearing centre to get a set of hearing aids, you should make sure to test the hearing aid both within the hearing centre, as well as outside in a nosier environment. This will allow you to see not only how well the device fits in your ears, but also how much of a help it gives you. Do not hesitate to try multiple brands or models until you find something that works best for you – these are after all, not inexpensive devices for most people (see article on prices of hearing aids in Singapore).
Further Reading That Might Interest You
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
