Hearing Aids that Detect Falls
Recent scientific and technological advances are reason enough to convince many people to take action to correct their hearing loss.
Indeed, we know now that there’s a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of falls, cognitive decline, social isolation and diabetes. And hearing aids are becoming more and more discreet and sophisticated. We’re miles from the big beige whistling hearing aids!
A new hearing aid technology offers many features that didn’t exist before:
- Detect when you fall
- Stream television shows directly to your hearing aids
- Translate languages as they are spoken
- Monitor your brain health and physical activity
- Transcribe conversations to text
- Help you find your hearing aids if you lose them
- Provide relief from tinnitus
- Make listening in noise comfortable
- Provide natural and clear sound
Fall Detection
The fear of falling and getting hurt may be a great worry for seniors and their loved ones. Some studies have shown that:
- Every 11 seconds, a senior is treated in an emergency room for a fall-related injury.
- Falls are the leading cause of injuries for seniors.
- Nearly 40% of people who live at home after reaching the age of 65 fall at least once a year.
The fear of falling may lead seniors to isolate themselves or lose their independence, especially in winter, when the number of falls is much higher.
That’s why hearing aids with artificial intelligence and integrated sensors were designed. Their sensors can detect when the wearer falls, and send alert messages to selected friends or family members. In addition to improving the sound of speech, these hearing aids increase peace of mind, too.
How Does It Work?
The hearing aid wearer selects up to three people to be notified if they fall. They then enter, with the help of their audioprosthetist, the contact information of these people into the mobile app related to the hearing aids.
The auto alert feature automatically sends an alert to the contacts if the hearing aid wearer falls.
The alert contains the GPS location of the wearer.
The contact can immediately call the wearer back to check on them or otherwise get help. The manual alert feature allows the wearer to simply tap their hearing aid to send an alert for a fall or any other event that requires help.
To learn more about this new hearing aid technology, talk to your audioprosthetist.
Don't forget!
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient's needs.