Wireless communication is everywhere. It started as radio waves emitted by large antennas, then low-powered infrared light on remote controls to change television channels. Today, many people own a smartphone. The Internet is delivered wirelessly inside many buildings instead of using direct cable connections. However, some people become concerned when they learn that wireless communication is a form of radiation. After all, the word radiation is associated with vivid imagery of harmful things, such as cancer. As hearing aids are placed inside people’s heads, some are concerned about the radiation that they emit from wireless communication. But not all radiation is equal.
Radiation is simply the emission of energy waves. For our purposes, this radiation has no mass and travels through the air. Electronic devices detect this radiation and then can decipher it into data. There are two types of radiation: ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.
Ionizing radiation is stronger than visible light, and has the ability to alter other atoms. This is why ionizing radiation is a cancer risk: living cells can be damaged beyond repair. Examples of ionizing radiation exposure used in healthcare include x-rays and CT scans.
Non-ionizing radiation is weaker than visible light. While non-ionizing radiation can penetrate solid objects, it alone does not have enough the ability to alter other atoms. The only effect it can have is heating if there is enough of it. For example, microwave ovens operate in this matter.
The radiation present in wireless communication is non-ionizing, which means that hearing aids are safe to use even when they inside your ear. Many studies have been done about the long-term effects of wireless communication, and these studies have concluded that wireless communication is not a health concern.
Binaural hearing aids communicate with each other to analyze the incoming sound and output the best possible sound for your ears. You can be assured that hearing aids are completely safe and provide great health benefits with proper use.