Music plays an important part in many people’s lives. Whether you prefer going to the symphony or checking out local bands at Carsons Tavern, you want your hearing aids to let you enjoy the complexity your favorite songs have to offer.
The Difference Between Music and Speech
Music has a much larger dynamic range than speech. The normal volume range for speech is usually between 30 to 85 decibels, while music can have a range of 100 decibels.
Since hearing aids are designed to amplify speech, they are programmed to compress dynamic range. This means that higher and lower-pitched sounds found in music can be difficult for devices to pick up on or sound distorted, particularly for older hearing aids.
Modern Technology Improves Listening Experience
Many newer hearing aids have programmable settings to optimize your music listening experience. If you are out somewhere and want to be able to enjoy live music, you can use a remote or app on your smartphone to change your program to one that will better fit your environment.
You can also utilize Bluetooth™ technology to stream music directly into your hearing aids and create a better listening experience. This improves the sound quality and saves you the hassle of having to use headphones, as your device basically converts into wireless earbuds while you listen to your favorite songs.
Make an appointment with your audiologist so they can work with you to put together a music program that fits your needs or show you how to use Bluetooth. If your current device does not support those options, discuss the possibility of an upgrade to enhance your listening experience.
Other Tips
If those options don’t appeal to you, there are several other ways to make listening to music more enjoyable.
- Try listening with noise-cancelling headphones that can be worn over hearing aids
- Make sure you are using a high-quality sound system
- Focus on other senses when you listen to music to enhance your experience. This can include reading the lyrics as you listen, dancing to the beat or turning up the bass to feel the music in your body.
For more information on music and hearing aids or to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, please call The Hear Care Center today.