About 37 million U.S. adults have some degree of hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders[1]Quick Statistics About Hearing. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Accessed 5/9/2023. . If you have hearing loss, an audiologist or hearing care professional might recommend hearing aids to help improve your hearing and quality of life.
Hearing aids amplify sounds to enable users to hear better than they might on their own. Depending on what device a person chooses, hearing aids often come with additional features, such as noise reduction technology and directional listening capabilities, to deliver high-quality sound performance and improved hearing.
Other accessories like hearing aid apps that enable users to personalize their settings, while TV streaming devices and remote microphones are increasingly popular, too.
Read on to learn more about the different types of hearing aid accessories, including how much they tend to cost and what benefits they can provide.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Jabra Enhance High-Tech Hearing Aids
- 360-degree sound & bluetooth enabled
- Nearly invisible with a sleek design
- Delivered straight to your door
- 3 years of convenient, follow-up care from Jabra Enhance's audiology team
On Jabra Enhance's Website
What’s a Hearing Aid Accessory?
A hearing aid accessory is a device that supports or enhances the functionality and personalization of hearing aids.
Hearing aid accessories work in conjunction with hearing aids to power or unlock additional features included in the hearing aids that might otherwise be inaccessible, so users can maximize their devices.
Different Types of Hearing Aid Accessories
The usefulness of a hearing aid accessory hinges on a user’s needs, preferences and expectations, says Jen Thomson, Au.D., an audiologist at Columbus Speech & Hearing in Ohio.
Several common hearing aid accessories to consider are listed below.
Smartphones (and Accompanying Apps)
Most people need smartphones to use their hearing aid’s accompanying apps, says Thomas Powers, Ph.D., an Ohio-based audiologist and expert audiology consultant for the Hearing Industries Association.
Smartphone apps can enable remote control of applicable hearing aids, allowing users to customize their settings, volume and other preferences from their phone. Depending on the hearing aid app’s capabilities, a smartphone might be the only essential accessory needed to support a hearing aid’s functionality, adds Dr. Powers.
Remote Microphones
Remote microphones, which are small wireless microphones that pick up and transmit sound from a source directly into a user’s hearing aids, help significantly with improving the signal-to-noise ratio, says Dr. Thomson. “A better signal-to-noise ratio can help with hearing conversation—instead of background noise—in group conversations,” she notes.
Dr. Thomson recommends remote microphones for hearing better in meetings or in small groups, such as dinners or family gatherings, or other environments where background noise may be an issue. Remote microphones may also help bolster hearing in a group listening setting, affirms Dr. Powers.
TV Streamers
TV streaming devices often plug into a user’s television to connect hearing aids directly to the TV, allowing listeners to hear the TV directly through their hearing aids, says Dr. Powers.
When watching TV in a group or with a loved one, the volume may be too loud for some and not loud enough for others, adds Dr. Powers. “The TV streamer also allows users to set their [individual] volume through their hearing aids and allows those listening to the TV through the TV speakers to set the volume that is comfortable for them.”
Speech-to-Text Apps
People with more severe hearing impairment may benefit from using a speech-to-text app, says Dr. Powers. A speech-to-text app listens to conversations and automatically transcribes spoken words into texts for users to read.
Speech-to-text devices can also help with note-taking during meetings or lectures, so users can view notes in real time or save transcriptions for later.
Hearing Aid Dryer
While there are many water-resistant hearing aid options on the market, a hearing aid dryer can enhance performance and durability by drying and cleaning devices that have been in contact with moisture.
A hearing aid dryer is particularly handy for users who sweat a lot—or for those who are particularly active, live in hot environments or who enjoy swimming.
Hearing Aid Cleaning Kit
Some hearing aids include a cleaning kit with the device, though some hearing aid companies charge for this accessory. Cleaning kits help hearing aid wearers keep their devices free of harmful bacteria, earwax or other contaminants.
Hearing aid cleaning kits may consist of tools like a cleaning cloth, carrying case, brush and wax loop and vent cleaner.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Audicus Hearing Aids
- Custom-programmed hearing aids without the markups
- Free lifetime support and next day audiology appointments
- Free upgrades every 18 months with Audicus Premier
- Latest bluetooth technology supports simultaneous connection to 2 devices
- Sleek, barely there models designed for optimal performance and comfort
- 100 Day-Risk Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
On Audicus's Website
Who Might Benefit From Hearing Aid Accessories?
“Many people can benefit from a hearing aid accessory,” says Dr. Thomson. But usually, people with more severe hearing loss benefit from accessories that assist in background listening environments, adds Dr. Powers. “Even those with moderate hearing loss may have great difficulty in background noise and be able to benefit from these devices.”
That said, the ability to understand speech through background noise depends on a person’s degree of hearing loss, he notes.
Depending on the accessory, hearing aid wearers might use certain devices more in certain settings, such as in work environments or at home, says Dr. Thomson. Adjusting to a hearing aid accessory can also take time, practice and experimentation with different apps, gadgets or technology to find something that best suits a user’s needs. However, once a user is comfortable using their hearing aid accessories, the devices can offer improvement and ease in everyday hearing aid use, says Dr. Thomson.
How Much Do Hearing Aid Accessories Cost?
The price of hearing aid accessories varies depending on the type of device and whether they work through a phone or are independent devices, says Dr. Powers. Hearing aid accessories can range from $150 to $500, he says—though it’s always worth asking whether any accessories are included with a hearing aid before making a final purchase.