Navigating a life with hearing loss comes with twists, turns and challenges you may not have considered. Luckily, technology has advanced in a way that can improve your hearing loss experience. Not only can hearing aids help improve communication by clarifying speech sounds and reducing background noise, but smartphones give you access to countless apps that can create ease in your life.
Take a look at a couple of different types of apps to help you navigate your life with hearing loss.
Speech-To-Text Apps
Like voice-to-text, speech-to-text apps work by listening to the audio around you and delivering it via text to your phone. Speech-to-text apps can be a great addition to work meetings, dinners out with friends or even simple orders at Hub Coffee Roasters.
Decibel Detectors
An estimated 12.5% of children aged 6-19 years and 17% of adults aged 20-69 years have permanent hearing damage from exposure to excessive noise. While protecting your hearing after hearing loss may feel silly, it is extremely important.
Hearing loss is not an all-or-nothing stationary condition. Instead, it progresses over time. Because exposure to hazardous noise levels can worsen hearing loss, protecting your ears is essential.
Decibel detectors on your smartphone are one great way to help you protect against noise-induced hearing loss. Noise is measured in decibels. The louder the noise, the higher the decibel. Decibel detection apps work by identifying environmental noises and measuring their decibel levels.
The CDC defines the threshold for hearing damage as exposure to noise above 70 decibels for a prolonged period or above 120 decibels immediately. With detection apps, you can ensure that your music, TV or other sources of noise are not too loud. While you may be unable to control some noise, your detectors will help remind you to lower the volume or wear ear protection.
Sound Alert Apps
There are multiple apps available to help keep you aware of sounds in your environment. To use the apps, you simply record common sounds you are worried you may miss, like doorbells, dogs barking, kitchen timers and other important alerts. When your phone hears one of these designated sounds, it will vibrate or flash to alert you. By using sensory notifications that don’t rely on hearing, you can feel confident that you aren’t missing important alerts.
Taking advantage of hearing aids and smartphone apps can help you navigate your life with hearing loss. For more information on managing your hearing loss, contact LeMay Hearing & Balance today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.