Technology in the 21st century has enabled us as humans to make strides our

ancestors could only dream of. And yet, nagging doubts remain that technology is
taking over our lives. One question remains: Is a hi-tech society delivering all it
promised?
Technology is hugely important to our lives
Love it or loathe it, technology affects almost everything we do today and it also
influences most of our plans for the future. Whether we experience the benefits of a
hearing aid or a hearing implant, use a mobile phone, listen to music and radio, surf the
internet for news or turn the GPS on in our car, we are constantly enjoying the benefits
of a hi-tech life. Technology making our lives healthier, more convenient and more
entertaining in 2018 In the last two years, technological innovations have meant major
strides in three areas in particular:

Technology in health sector

Medical practitioners are diagnosing illness quicker and more efficiently through the use
of artificial intelligence and performing surgery effectively with the help of flexible robots
- their hands essentially mimicking the human hand, but with the advantage of greater
rotation and flexibility. Devices which help to improve our health are improving all the
time, for example MED-EL audio processors (the externally worn part of a hearing
implant) have come a long way from the first model 40 years ago and now boast
wireless charging, wireless phone and TV connection and a sleek design which makes
them virtually undetectable under the hair.

High-tech leads to convenience

Mobile phones have morphed from convenient instruments of communication to
personal computers where we can now instantly access data and services via the touch
of a button. We can order shopping, rent cars, plan our journeys to work and book
doctors’ appointments, all from our handheld smartphones. Machines are being taught
to mimic humans in their ability to perform repeat tasks, for example driving a car. In the
future driverless cars will make it possible for us to prepare for a 2-hour business
meeting in the back of a “robo taxi”.
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Entertainment
Machine learning and virtual reality now dominate the entertainment space. On-demand
television means that we no longer have to wait to watch our favourite TV shows, or
indeed make decisions on what to watch: machine-learning makes recommendations
based on our viewing habits. Everything personalised, everything individualised. Virtual
reality immerses viewers into live roleplay, and mixed reality has enabled games like
Pokemon Go to flourish.

Addicted to instant gratification

Whether it be clicking on an on-demand TV show, or demanding Alexa change the
song, technology is designed to meet our needs instantly. We simply do not have to
wait for anything anymore. Certainly, the convenience of modern technology means we
can achieve more. But is constantly getting what we want, when we want it, a good
thing?

A famous study conducted at Stanford University in the 1960s would suggest not. In the
study, children were placed in a room with one marshmallow on a plate. The lead
researcher gave the children an easy instruction: You can eat the marshmallow now, or
wait 15 minutes and receive two marshmallows. The researchers found that the children
who were able to wait for the second marshmallow without eating the first one scored
higher on standardized tests, had better health, and were less likely to have behavior
problems.

Constantly available, constantly online

Progress made in the area of communications means we can be contacted at all times
via a variety of channels. This means we have to be constantly available and constantly
“on”. Constant multitasking has its advantages but, argues Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin,
our brains just don’t work that way. Rather than being “expert jugglers, we are more like
bad amateur plate spinners, frantically switching from one task to another.” Levitin gives
an insight into what happens in our brains when we receive multiple communications at
once. When our brain tries to juggle all of these at the same time, stress builds.
However, once we respond to a message, instantly our limbic system receives a shot of
dopamine which proves addictive. We enter a cycle of feeding this multitasking lifestyle
to receive more dopamine which, argues Levitin, is actually ultimately unproductive and
bad for our brains.
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Achieving a Tech-Life Balance
Can we enjoy the benefits of technology without succumbing to a tech-controlled life?
Can we control it without being controlled by it? Our hints for achieving a tech-life
balance.
 Utilise technology that makes your life easier (and don’t feel bad about
it!): If a hearing implant is the right decision for you, celebrate the fact that you live in an
age when this technology is available. Take advantage of it!

 Limit times when people can contact you: Reduce the unhealthy aspects of
multitasking by allocating only certain hours of your day to responding to messages, or
turning your phone off at night.

 Limit social media and TV time: studies have shown they are addictive. If you
find yourself constantly reaching for the remote or checking your news feed, consider
limiting your daily intake. Both social media and TV can be used in ways that support
your life, but overuse can diminish it.

 Reconnect with nature and exercise: studies have shown nature and exercise
help fight stress and depression. Consider doing 30 minutes of exercise outside each
day with a friend, and experience the benefits a short break from technology can offer!