Modern Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing well kept your connected to your loved ones

Hearing aid technology has come a long way in the past several years. Most of the large hearing aid manufacturers work diligently in their research and development to design better sounding, more comfortable, more convenient, and yes, smaller hearing instruments. To learn about new hearing aid technology, and what features might be beneficial to you, please contact our office for a free hearing aid consultation. "These aren't your grandpa's hearing aids" anymore!

You won't find every option available in every hearing instrument, but here is a sampling of features that you can learn about when you see our Audiologist:

Digital Signal Processing

Digital hearing aid processors hit the hearing aid market in the mid 1990s. Since then, digital hearing aids have become the norm. The main advantage of digital signal processing over analog processing is that digital processors are smaller and can handle a lot more automatic adjustments per second. More features are available for clarity and comfort.

Compression

Most people need different gain levels (volume) for soft, medium, and loud inputs. Wide Dynamic Range Compression allows the wide loudness range of incoming sounds to be compressed into the smaller "comfort" range of the listener. This automatic feature often negates the need to "fiddle around with the volume control" on a hearing aid.

Multiple Channels

Most modern digital hearing aids have more than one channel. Each channel processes a portion of the frequency (pitch) spectrum. Programmable parameters, such as gain and compression can have different settings in each channel to accurately match the various hearing thresholds for each patient across different frequencies. This is especially helpful in the common situation where a patient hears low pitches much better than high-pitches ("I can hear 'em, but I can't understand 'em!).

Digital Noise Reduction

Noise is a fact of life. We can't eliminate it, but hearing aids work hard to mitigate the negative impact of noise on speech understanding. Digital hearing aids can tell the difference between a speech signal and a broadband noise signal (such as fans, motors, etc). When the hearing aid detects only "noise" type sound in one of the channels, it automatically turns the gain down for that channel, leaving the channels with speech signals alone. This often allows hearing aid users to maintain comfort in more noisy listening areas.

Directional/Multiple Microphones

This useful feature is designed to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Directional microphone systems are designed to amplify sounds that come from the sides and back of the listener less than sounds that originate from the front. This can be especially helpful in environments where the noise and signal are the same type of sound (ie, speech), such as a restaurant or party.

Frequency Compression

This feature takes the high pitch sounds that are usually the most difficult to hear, and shifts them to a lower pitch output which is easier to hear. The advantage is better ability to hear a wide range of speech sounds.

Digital Feedback Control

Nobody likes a squealing hearing aid. Modern hearing aid technology automatically engages digital feedback cancellation algorithms to minimize incidental squealing. The result is more comfort for the user, less squealing for everybody.

Multiple Programs/Memories

Many people receive better benefit when their hearing aids change their amplification parameters to match their particular listening environment. Special processing features can be activated when in special listening environments such as background noise, telephone, music, or a reverberant room. Most digital hearing aids detect your sound environment and change programs automatically, with the option for the user to manually override the program selection.

Telephone Circuits/Telecoils

Telecoils are designed to pick up the electromagnetic signal from the handset of a telephone. This will virtually eliminate squealing when the telephone is next to the listener's hearing aid. Although there can be a fair amount of variability in signal strength across hearing aids and telephones, many people find this feature to be beneficial, especially with automatic function.

Wireless Compatibility

Many hearing aid models are not Bluetooth compatible. That means you can pair them with your Bluetooth cell phone, computer, MP3 player or GPS unit. Other wireless accessories that will work with modern hearing aids: television amplifiers, remote controls, and wireless FM systems.

Our Audiologist will talk with you to learn about what your specific needs are in terms of hearing better in your life. A team effort will result in selecting the features that best fit your hearing loss, your lifestyle, and your budget. Whether you've worn hearing aids for years and would like to learn about updating your hearing aid technology, or are ready to hear better for the first time, we'll make the process understandable and workable for you and your family. Your first appointment toward better conversation, music enjoyment, telephone or television use is a phone call away! Call our office for an appointment.