HEARING AID TECHNOLOGIES
Most hearing aids fit today have digital technology. Digital hearing aids function
as miniature computers. This is a major breakthrough because much more sound
processing is possible within a small space. The newer hearing aids offer far
greater programming flexibility, and produce a crisper, cleaner sound. These
hearing aids have the ability to analyze the acoustic environment and adjust
the amplification accordingly. Speech is perceived more comfortably and clearly
for many patients in a variety of sound environments.
Over the past few years, product lines have been expanded. Most manufacturers
now offer a range of products from high end feature-rich hearing aids to mid-line
instruments to entry level hearing aids that meet more basic needs.
Some of the features encountered in current hearing aids include:
Open fittings: These tiny behind-the-ear instruments with a narrow tube for bringing
sound to the ear are a great new development for patients with mild or moderate
high frequency hearing loss. They are cosmetically appealing, and acoustically ‘transparent'
so that sound is heard especially naturally with less perception of occlusion
than traditional hearing aids. Digital technology's advances in feedback (acoustic
whistle) management makes this type of fitting possible.
Multiple memory: This feature allows the user to opt for different listening
strategies optimized for a variety of listening situations. This feature is beneficial
for people with active lifestyles who regularly encounter varying acoustic environments.
Directional microphones: Newer hearing aids may offer "multi-channel adaptive
directionality" which means that the hearing aid microphones continually
respond to the speech and noise sources in the environment to provide the best
possible signal-to-noise ratio for the listener. The goal of this feature is
to preserve speech understanding in the presence of background noise.
Feedback management: Hearing aid users may now expect less likelihood of feedback
(whistling). This is important because newer hearing aids can provide more audibility
of soft sounds without feedback. Open fittings, which provide relief for occlusion,
are also possible because of digital advancements in feedback management.
Noise management: The newest algorithms for processing speech in the presence
of noise not only promote more comfortable listening, but aim to preserve speech
intelligibility.
As hearing aid technology continues to improve, hearing aids make better decisions
in amplification to optimize comfort and speech audibility and intelligibility.
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