Gerald Popelka, head of Stanford Ear Institute Neuromodulation Research Lab, stated a hearing fact that we could not agree with more: Hearing aids have evolved with unprecedented momentum—from an assistive device with limited functionality and flexibility to a personalized, easy-to-use, wearable that not only can help us hear better but live better, too:
- Gone are the days when “sound quality” simply meant the sound was amplified.
- Gone are the bulky, ill-fitting instruments that amplified all surrounding sounds at once—including background noise.
- Gone is the need to constantly purchase hearing aid batteries for fear your devices will run out of power mid-conversation.
- Gone is the requirement of strategically placing your phone next to your hearing aid mic to hear a call—and hopefully without any feedback.
- Gone is the reality that better hearing is all hearing aids have to offer.
These are just a handful of the many advancements made in hearing technology, which we’ll explore in greater detail momentarily. But to sum it up, today’s best hearing aids have evolved to the level of all-encompassing care—aimed at giving us our best quality of life through better hearing and overall health.
Improved sound quality redefines “amplified”
Just when we thought hearing aids only amplified sounds to let us hear them, along comes cutting-edge technology designed to help us understand them, too. The perfect example is Genesis AI hearing aids—the latest development from Starkey Hearing.
Hearing loss might start in the ears, but it happens in the brain: So, Starkey designed Genesis AI to mimic the cerebral cortex and process sounds the way a “normal” auditory system does—filling in the gaps produced from years of hearing loss. Genesis AI does this over 80 million times an hour, without you having to do a thing.
As a result, you experience clearer, more true-to-life sound that allows you to: Distinguish words and speech more naturally and intuitively, hear soft sounds without distracting noise, and reduce the effort it takes to listen and hear.
More control over hearing in background noise
As Popelka attests, the struggle of trying to hear speech in background noise is the no. 1 complaint by patients to their hearing care professionals. After all, “when you get older, the ability to extract speech from background noise gets a little worse than when you’re younger,” he says.
Genesis AI hearing aids also exemplify how hearing aids have advanced to give us more control over our hearing, particularly when background noise becomes overwhelming. You can now easily amplify sounds you want to hear and diminish sounds you don’t—either manually or on-demand—by connecting these devices to Starkey's popular hearing aid app, My Starkey.
This recent innovation also allows you to create custom hearing programs for the places you frequent. So, you can enjoy the best sound levels possible for your favorite coffee shop, gym, etc.
More styles and better sizing—for every ear
Years back, hearing aids were much more of a “one-size-fits-all” type of product. But that changed with the arrival of custom hearing aids. These devices (also available through Genesis AI, if you’re looking) are individually created for your precise ear anatomy by taking an earmold impression then creating the hearing aid to fit your unique ear shape.
They come in a variety of styles, from devices that hide completely in the ear to devices that rest snugly just outside the ear canal.
We should add that standard hearing aids (in which the actual device tucks behind the ear and an attached earbud or custom earmold inserts into the ear canal) are leagues more understated, sleek, and “techie” than previous years’ models. They also feature more options for controlling volume, changing programs, and more, depending on your preferences.
All-day rechargeability
In the past, we had no other option but to buy countless hearing aid batteries to keep our devices operating. With this came the potential worry of running out of power when we needed it most. Not anymore, thanks to the development of rechargeable hearing aids.
If they happen to be Genesis AI, all you do is charge them overnight in a charger. From there, you can wear them all day long and even enjoy some serious streaming (which we’ll explore momentarily): Genesis AI can deliver up to 51 hours on a single charge—the most of any rechargeable hearing aid out there.
Note that battery-powered hearing aids are still available for those who prefer them, and nowadays you can find hearing aid batteries at most retailers and pharmacies.
Streaming capability
The development of a hearing aid app (like My Starkey) has given us the capability to maximize our hearing devices in many ways, and one of the most useful is the ability to stream audio directly to our hearing aids. This includes phone calls, music, TV audio, and anything else with Bluetooth® connectivity.
Streaming provides even more opportunities to enjoy clear, true-to-life sound while improving your connections with others and listening to audio your way.
Health monitoring
One of the most significant breakthroughs in hearing aids (first introduced by Starkey in 2018) has been their evolution into a device that not only helps you hear better but also live better—through health monitoring. Genesis AI, for instance, features integrated “sensors” that can count your steps, track your physical activities, and even monitor your daily hearing and social engagement—which is important for cognitive health.
These devices can even detect if you fall and play a part in alerting loved ones. All of this, made possible by connecting Genesis AI hearing aids to the My Starkey app.
What’s next in hearing technology?
As you can see, hearing technology has made tremendous advancements in less than a decade. So, what’s next?
Stay connected with Starkey Hearing to find out: When it comes to better hearing and living, we’re always thinking 10 years ahead and pushing the edge of what’s possible.
To learn more about Genesis AI and other hearing technology that can help improve your overall quality of life, reach out to a licensed hearing care professional today. Don’t have one? No problem. Simply type your zip code in here to generate a list of providers near you.