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“Connectivity” – The New Buzz Word in Hearing Aids
By Dr. Deborah Dempesy
Hearing aids are electronic devices that are becoming increasingly sophisticated to help the user hear in difficult listening situations.
“Connectivity” is the new buzzword in hearing instrument technology!
What is it?
Connectivity is the ability of the hearing aids to “connect” to other devices in order for you to hear your environment better. The devices you can connect to include: television, telephones, IPods, MP3 players, cell phones, computers and just about any other electronic device available – including a GPS system in your car.
How is this accomplished?
Nearly all hearing aids manufactured within the past 2 years have Bluetooth technology, which allows this “connectivity” to work. Bluetooth is the use of low-power radio communications to wirelessly link phones, computers and other network devices over short distances. The radio signal is brought into your hearing aids via a remote device. The name Bluetooth is borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, a King in Denmark more than 1,000 years ago. King Bluetooth united warring Danish tribes into one “connected” kingdom. The symbol for Bluetooth (Insert Bluetooth Symbol here) comes from runes or an “alphabet” that was used before the Latin alphabet that we know today. Who knew???
What’s the end result?
With Bluetooth you can hear television, cell phones, landline phones, IPods etc. in BOTH ears at a sound level programmed to YOUR specific hearing loss. This is amazing technology!
• You can listen to television at YOUR volume and hear through your hearing aids programmed to YOUR hearing loss while others can hear television at volumes comfortable for them.
• You can listen to your cell phone or landline phone, again in both ears at YOUR volume and programmed to your hearing needs.
• You are hands free – you wear the remote and when your phone rings, you push a button and you are immediately connected to your cell phone or landline phone. If you want to listen to the television, you simply push another button and hear the television at your desired volume in both of your ears.
• An IPod can be connected wirelessly or hard wired to your remote device and you will hear it again, in both ears programmed to your individual hearing needs.
And the list goes on. Most people find that the phone and television use of the Bluetooth Connectivity are the most helpful and most used. The user does not need to understand the specific technology to use Bluetooth however! It’s easy to use. I (fortunately for the world!) do not know how a computer works; however I can operate one and it helps me at home and at work. Today’s hearing aids with Bluetooth Connectivity are similar and require little from the consumer: Voila! You are hearing and reconnecting to your world again.
For individuals who have mobility problems in their homes, being able to immediately and simply “connect” without trying to hurriedly get out of a chair and possibly risk injury or falls, is a major plus.
This new “connectivity” and Bluetooth science allow for better hearing ability, ease of use and safety in the home.
Dr. Deborah Dempesy
Dr. Dempesy obtained her Masters in Audiology at Northwestern University in Evanston IL in 1982. She received her Doctorate in Audiology at the Salus University (previously known as The Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology) in Pennsylvania in 2007. Dr. Dempesy worked with developmentally delayed hearing-impaired children in the Chicago area for two years from 1980-1982, moved back to her home state of Massachusetts and was Clinical Director of Audiology at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital for 14 years. She consulted, performing research with manufacturers of hearing devices and volunteered on the Massachusetts Infant Hearing Screening Task Force until a law was passed that required all infants to have their hearing screened before discharge from the hospital or birthing clinic.
Dr. Dempesy has been a board member of the Massachusetts Academy of Audiology, volunteering her time to continue quality education of audiologists in the Massachusetts area.
Recently Dr. Dempesy worked for a major hearing device manufacturer, providing training and education on new technology to audiologists in the New England area. The combination of these experiences gives her an exceptionally well-rounded perspective that she passes on to her patients.
In addition, Dr. Dempesy is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Tinnitus Association, Educational Audiology Association and the Aural Rehabilitation Association. She is licensed to practice as an audiologist in the state of Massachusetts.
Personally, Dr. Dempesy’s immediate family consists of her partner and 23 year old daughter. In her free time, Dr. Dempesy loves to ocean kayak, run, rock climb, hike, read, watch movies and spend time with her sisters, brother and parents in western Massachusetts.
All Ears Hearing Center, Inc.
59 Industrial Park
Plymouth, MA 02360
www.allearshearing.net
(508) 747-4055 (800) 649-4054 (617) 510-5254
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