Benefits of Hearing Aid Accessories: Streamers, Remotes & More
Whether you’re a seasoned hearing aid user or new to assistive hearing technology, we have information on accessories to enhance your experience!
Overview of Accessories
Accessories can significantly enhance the functionality and convenience of hearing aids, catering to a wide range of user needs. From managing volume settings to ensuring device cleanliness and maintaining power, these accessories can improve the overall hearing aid experience.
Types of Accessories
There are many aftermarket products out there, such as solar banks to charge aids while camping, remotes or apps to adjust hearing aid settings, streamers to sync TV audio to your device, and dryers and clearing products to remove moisture and harmful earwax from your hearing aid. In addition, with the innovation of AI, there are many new promising ideas on the horizon to watch for.
Benefits of Accessories
While not required, accessories offer many advantages to those with hearing loss. Carefully picked items can help improve the quality of your hearing experience, make your technology last longer, need fewer repairs, and add convenience to your routine.
Streamers
For those struggling with TV volume, streamers offer a convenient solution. If you have difficulty hearing the TV, even with hearing aids, connecting the audio directly via a steamer could be an effective fix. Additionally, other viewers in your household can watch TV at a lower volume while you control the audio sent directly to your hearing aids using the streamer. A popular streaming device is the Phonak TV Connector, which is compatible with any BlueTooth hearing aid.
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It has the following features:
- Easy setup: just “plug and play”
- Transmission range of up to 50 feet
- Independent volume control
- Instant connection with compatible hearing aids
- Supports multiple hearing aid users
- Price range: $179-$300
Remotes
A hearing aid remote is a small, portable device that allows the user to adjust hearing aid settings without touching the aid itself. As hearing aids are very small, remotes can be a great accessory, particularly for those who struggle with fine motor control or wish to avoid taking out their hearing aids in public to adjust them.
Some remotes may only adjust volume settings, while others offer additional features such as switching between listening programs. Some remotes are small enough to carry on a key chain for convenience. The same manufacturer makes many remotes as hearing aid brands, so check with your audiologist if your hearing aid brand offers a remote option.
Portable Chargers
Recharable hearing aids are envorinmentally friendly, but they can be frustrating if you’re far from a power source, such as when hiking, camping, or traveling internationally with incompatible outlets.Smart chargers are devices that can be pre-charged in advance and plugged into your aids when needed.
Many smart chargers are brand-specific, but one example is the Phonak Charger Case Go which has a built-in and rechargeable battery for Phonak hearing aids.
A few of the listed features:
- Stores up to three full charges
- Includes charging cable and plug adapter
- Compact, travel-friendly size
- Can charge both left and right aids simulaneously
Contact your hearing aid professional to see if your brand offers a compatible charging case.
Dehumidifiers
If you live in an area with high humidity, such as the southern part of the United States, your hearing aids will likely benefit from a dehumidifier to pull harmful moisture out. Trapped moisture can cause the aid to lose function and lead to costly repairs. Ongoing maintenance will save you frustration and expenses as a hearing aid user.
There two common hearing aid dehumidifiers: electric and disposable. .
Electric
plug-inin dehumidifier is time-saving solution forto removing moisture. A popular device is the PerfectDry Lux, which has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Some of its many features include:
- Dries hearing aids within 45 minutes
- USB plug option
- Removes moisture with controled heat
- FDA registered device
- Offers a 3 year warranty
- Compatible with almost all hearing aids
- Affordable at $59
Disposable Dryers
If a morcost-effectiveve solution is needed, a disposable dryeis aroundhe $10-ge. Some are rechargeable for a slight price increase. One popular dyer is the EZY DOSE Dehumidifier for hearing aids.
Some of its features include:
- No electric needed, great for traveling or the outdoors
- Lasts 6 months of use
- Secure lid for overnight use
- Priced at $12 on Amazon
Cleaning Kits
Another potential detriment to hearing aids is wax buildup. Some cleaning kits make it easy for users to keep their hearing aids clean, prolong their life span and improve quality. Most kits include items like a spray, cloth, wax picks and brushes. While annual professional cleanings are recommended, home maintenance can help between visits.
A thorough weekly cleaning will benefit your hearing technology. A popular cleaning kit is a case like the one above, which has brushes, cloths, and is low-cost on Amazon, at $7- $15.
Summary
Depending on your needs, a wide variety of tools are on the market to make hearing aid ownership more convenient. Devices like streamers, remotes, chargers, dehumidifiers, and cleaning kits will help make your hearing experience enjoyable and long-lasting. Consider trying a few of these accessories to enhance your hearing aid use today!
Molly, a Deaf mom of two CODAs, lives with her hearing partner of almost 14 years in the scenic Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Profoundly Deaf since 18 months old, she enjoys writing about the lived Deaf experiences and advocacy. In her free time she reads, and is very slowly working on authoring her first book.
