Hearing aids have gone through numerous iterations in their 200-plus year history. The technology that is utilized in hearing aids has historically been developed because of a devoted scientist who is either impacted by hearing loss or has a loved one affected by hearing loss. As an example, Alexander Graham Bell’s mother had significant hearing loss and his wife was deaf.

Here are 10 other little-known facts about hearing aids:

1. Through advanced technology like Bluetooth, hearing aids can be synced wirelessly with MP3 players, TVs, smart-phones, and other gadgets, allowing the user to enjoy direct signals from each of these devices.

2. Hearing aids are not one size fits all – in fact, they can and should be programmable. This indicates that they have the potential to recall the most comfortable configurations for the user, often readjusting in real time to the immediate environment.

3. Digital hearing aids – a recent advancement — have dramatically lessened the frequency of irritating feedback, echoes, and background noises. These were par for the course as part of earlier technologies, and they made concentrating much more challenging.

4. Along with the amplification of sound, modern hearing aids can also improve and clarify sound.

5. When used in combination with special induction or hearing loops, hearing aid users can more clearly hear announcements in public places, meetings, airports, arenas, and other crowded areas. This technology enhances sounds and minimizes all the background noise.

6. It used to be that hearing aids were only manufactured in beige and similar colors to match the color of people’s skin, so that they were not easily discernible. Today, users are embracing their hearing aid technology, sporting a number of colors and patterns to flash their devices and stand out in a crowd.

7. Similarly, hearing aids are smaller in size than at any other time. They used to be large, cumbersome devices that weighed several pounds and didn’t really do much to amplify sound. Today, hearing aids only weigh a few ounces and provide remarkably better sound quality.

8. Today, you can buy water resistant and waterproof hearing aids to more readily compliment your lifestyle. Water resistant hearing aids can withstand low levels of humidity and moisture, while waterproof hearing aids can tolerate higher levels of moisture during showering and even swimming.

9. Instead of having to frequently replace the batteries in hearing aids, many are now made with rechargeable technology to cut down on upkeep costs.

10. Hearing aids are not only for the hard of hearing — individuals suffering from tinnitus can often obtain relief from the constant ringing with the special tinnitus therapy components contained in many hearing aids.

Now that you learned some interesting tidbits about hearing aids and their associated technology, you can better understand what they have to offer the young and the old alike.