Archive for April, 2014

As a hearing amplification specialist, I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has asked why manufacturers can’t design a way to find lost hearing aids. Well, they’ve finally done it (with heavy emphasis on the “finally”). Two companies, Minnesota-based Starkey Hearing Technologies and Demmark’s GN Resound, have teamed up with Apple to produce “Made for iPhone” hearing aids. With the GPS features, touchscreen technology, and downloadable apps, this partnership with Apple is a major breakthrough for the hearing impaired.

Granted, this is the first attempt at pairing a smartphone to hearing aids, but it appears like the applications are pretty well refined. The “find my hearing aid” feature is my personal favorite and it is a little like that game we all played when we were young and something was hidden from us and someone else would say hotter or colder depending on if you were getting closer or further away. This is a very good investment for pet owners, but don’t be surprised if you happen to hone in on your dog, Lucky, while looking for your hearing aids.

Another brilliant feature is you can now use your iPhone as a remote control. The wearer simply slides their finger up, down, left, or right over the screen to make volume and tone adjustments. Also, if you really wanted to get high tech, you can create a custom hearing aid setting for a particular place like your favorite restaurant where you can never hear the waiter. When your iPhone see’s your at the restaurant, it can change your hearing aids automatically to your custom setting.

In addition, phone calls and music are streamed directly to the hearing aids from your iPhone.  Don’t worry if this all sounds outrageous. A hearing aid can still be just a hearing aid, and you can rest comfortably knowing that this compatibility is available.

To see the Starkey technology in action visit TruLink.