The Decade’s Greatest Technological Revolutions

The Decade’s

Greatest Technological Revolutions

The last 20 years have been marked by significant advancements in hearing aid technology. Those advancements have come with a lot of potential for breaking the isolation of people with hearing loss and making a remarkable difference in their lives. After all, we all know that social relationships are crucial for all aspects of our health—not just our mental and emotional health, but our physical and cognitive health as well.

In Canada, 30% of seniors are at risk of isolation1

This can lead to major health concerns like depression, immune system compromise, and even a higher risk of dementia and death. Fortunately, one major advancement in hearing aid technology is helping with that: the addition of Bluetooth® technology. Thanks to Bluetooth®, people with hearing loss can keep track of their physical and brain health through a smartphone app. They can also share certain information with their loved ones if they want. Tools like this help users stay in constant contact with their loved ones,* who can help them if needed. They also motivate users to move, get out, socialize, and receive constant mental stimulation. The information from the app is very reassuring for friends and family, since it lets them know:

How many steps were taken and when How many minutes of exercise were done and when How often the user moves How many hours the hearing aids were used How long the user spent on telephone or faceto-face conversations, and the level of brain stimulation that they provided What kinds of environments the user is spending time in If the user has fallen It can even instantaneously translate conversations into multiple languages with a smartphone

The more places a person visits and the more stimulating those places are, the stronger their brain will be. Similarly, if someone is encouraged to move throughout the day, their physical health will improve. And the more they talk to others, the less lonely they will feel. The “translation” function also helps push back the barriers to communication in another language, which will encourage users to start conversations. This greatly reduces their risk of isolation and improves their overall health. Do you think this technology could help you or your loved ones?

Talk to your audioprosthetist to learn more!

* The patient must have access to a smartphone or tablet and an internet connection.

Marie-Ève Guay

Specialized educator practising in Saint-Georges

References: 1. Little Brothers, “Social Isolation and the Elderly (75+)”, https://www.petitsfreres.ca/en/ elder-friends/social-isolation-and-the-elderly-75/ - Starkey Canada, “Thrive Care App”, https://www.starkeycanada.ca/hearing-aids/apps/ thrive-care/overview?sc_lang=en-CA - Starkey Canada, “Thrive Hearing Control App User Guide”, https://www.starkey.com//media/International/US/Files/Operations-Manuals/thrive-hearing-control-appuser-guide.pdf