Hearing loss is more common than you might think, even if most people don't wear hearing aids. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 28.8 million American adults could benefit from the use of hearing aids. Here are five unusual facts about these hearing tools.

Hearing aids were initially designed to amplify sound to make it easier for people to hear, but amplifying all sounds can be a problem. Modern versions actually work to amplify voices while minimizing background noise, so you can hear people talking without other sounds being too loud.

If you get a modern hearing aid that has the right features, then it can automatically adjust its settings based on your environment. This is a feature you'll only find in certain hearing-loss devices, but it can make your life so much easier.

Believe it or not, modern hearing aids are actually great if you live an active lifestyle. They're small and lightweight, and you can even find waterproof ones so you don't have to worry about ruining them with your sweat.

If you have a hearing aid that's Bluetooth-capable, then you can actually connect it to smartphones and other devices to stream content directly to it. You can even answer a phone call with your hearing aid connected to your phone, so you don't have to miss a word of the conversation.

Depending on the hearing aid you choose, you might also have the luxury of a built-in mic. Built-in mics are a common feature in modern headphones, and they're starting to become more popular in hearing-loss devices as well. If you want a hearing aid with a mic built in, then make sure you ask about additional features when you're choosing a hearing aid.

Living with hearing loss can make life difficult, and outdated hearing-loss devices aren't the best in terms of style, comfort, and performance. Modern hearing-loss devices offer tons of great features that make it easier to live with hearing loss. If you're looking to upgrade to a modern hearing aid, contact Advantage Hearing Center today to learn more.