Hearing Aid Technology
Hearing aid electronics are the functionality that controls how sounds are transferred from the ambiance into your ear. The sound is processed, amplified, and delivered, all in an almost immeasurable amount of time. All hearing aids amplify sounds, making them louder so that you can hear them better.
As analog technology is being phased out by many major manufacturers, digital technology is hitting the market hard, looking to put an end to the usability issues of analog hearing aids. Now, computer chips convert the incoming sound signals into readable digital code, then processes and transforms the audio into a specialized band based on your hearing loss. It also takes into account your attenuation needs, sounds going on around the area, and your settings.
Hearing Aid Terminology
Along with understanding hearing aid technology, there are a few key terms that you should be made aware of. Vision Hearing Health, as well as many other ophthalmology entities, will often refer to these terms when describing the features and compatible technology of your hearing aid.
Feedback – Feedback occurs when a signal that has already been processed and amplified is picked up by the receiver. This creates a loop that results in a whistling sound that is generally unpleasant. This is a completely internal phenomenon that depends on the circuitry of the hearing aid unit. Most modern hearing aids are manufactured with feedback blockers that detect and eliminate feedback. Protecting your ears is very important, therefore hearing aid manufacturers make sure to eliminate feedback in however method, be it a feedback blocker or great wiring.
Volume Controls– Hearing aids that are larger in size, such as full shell hearing aids or behind-the-ear hearing aids, frequently have volume controls that increase the volume of the hearing aid. When speaking with someone that has a soft voice, this can be a simple yet effective way to receive that quick boost that you need.
Microphones – Most hearing aids have two microphones. One microphone receives input sounds from all directions. The second microphone, coined as a ‘directional microphone’, only focuses on sounds that come from the front, such as conversational communication.
Programs – Depending on the hearing aid, different listening programs can be initiated. Listening programs are configurations of the hearing aid’s reception in different sound environments. As you know, the different places in which you find yourself constitute different listening abilities. If you are in a crowded subway, there could be a setting that attenuates all but the directional microphone. Other situations call for and increase in just the multi-directional microphone. These listening programs are controlled either by a button directly on the hearing aid, or a small remote control. Some hearing aids allow you to configure the programs prior to their installation.
