Hearing aids have gone through a multitude of iterations in their 200-plus year history. The technology that is deployed in hearing aids has historically been developed by means of a devoted scientist who is either impacted by hearing loss or has a friend or family member affected by hearing loss. For example, Alexander Graham Bell’s mother had substantial 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 they have the capability to recall the most comfortable configurations for the user, often adjusting in real time to the immediate environment.

3. Digital hearing aids – a recent development — have sharply limited the occurrence of bothering feedback, echoes, and background sounds. These were par for the course as part of older technologies, and they made concentrating much harder.

4. In conjunction with the amplification of sound, modern hearing aids can also enhance and clarify sound.

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

6. It used to be that hearing aids were only manufactured in beige and related colors to match people’s skin color, so that they were not easily recognizable. Today, users are embracing their hearing aid technology, sporting a mixture of colors and patterns to show off 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 barely amplified sound. Today, hearing aids only weigh a few ounces and provide remarkably better sound quality.

8. Today, you can invest in water resistant and waterproof hearing aids to more readily match your lifestyle. Water resistant hearing aids can withstand low levels of humidity and moisture, while waterproof hearing aids can withstand 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 do much more than amplify sound – they can also contain special tinnitus therapy components that provide the user with relief when it comes to constant ringing in the ear.

Now that you are aware of 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.