How to Choose a Hearing Aid
What's New in Hearing Aid Technology
Hearing aids are distinguished by their technology or circuitry. In the early days, hearing aid technology involved vacuum tubes and large heavy batteries. Today, there are microchips, computerization, and digitized sound processing, used in hearing aid design. Here's some links to the lastest happenings in hearing aids.
Today, some hearing aids can store several programs. As your listening environment changes, you can change the hearing aid settings by pushing a button on the hearing aid or by using a remote control to switch channels. The aid can be reprogrammed by the audiologist if your hearing or hearing needs change. These aids are more expensive than conventional analog hearing aids, but generally have a longer life span and may provide better hearing for you in different listening situations.
Types of Hearing Aid Technology : Digital programmable hearing aids
Digital programmable hearing aids have all the features of analog programmable aids but use "digitized sound processing" to convert sound waves into digital signals. A computer chip in the aid analyzes the signals of your environment to determine if the sound is noise or speech and then makes modifications to provide a clear, amplified distortion-free signal.
Digital hearing aids are usually self-adjusting. The digital processing allows for more flexibility in programming the aid so that the sound it transmits matches your specific pattern of hearing loss. This digital technology is the most expensive, but it allows for improvement in programmability, greater precision in fitting, management of loudness discomfort, control of acoustic feedback (whistling sounds), and nose reduction.
Types of Hearing Aid Technology : Conventional Analog Hearing Aids
These type of hearing aids are designed with a particular frequency response based on your audiogram. The audiologist tells the manufacturer what settings to install. Although there are some adjustments, the aid essentially amplifies all sounds (speech and noise) in the same way. This technology is the least expensive and it can be appropriate for many different types of hearing loss.
Choosing a Hearing Aid Based on Levels of Technology
One of the main factors in determining the cost of a hearing aid is the level of technology you require and the service that's included in your fitting.
Essential Technology
Essential hearing aid technology provides basic amplification of hearing audibility and works well in quiet settings or small groups. Your main control with this type of hearing aid may be volume only.
These hearing aids are the least flexible and have the fewest adjustment options. They basically pick up sound and amplify it into the ear canal. These are the least expensive type of hearing aids.
Advanced Technology
Advanced technology provides amplification that can be modified in background noise with noise reduction and also includes directional microphones for better understanding in background noise. They transform analog signals into digital signals that can be processed to allow for greater enhancement of speech sounds while minimizing noise.
These hearing aids may also include multiple program settings to improve comfort and performance in different situations. They offer greater flexibility and more adjustment options, and as such are generally more expensive.
Premium Technology
Premium technology provides that most flexibility and customization for the sound clarity and comfort. It often includes multiple levels of noise reduction and multiple responses for the directional microphones.
These aids have options for completely automatic functions in different noise situations as well as options for manual control. They are the most responsive in complex and varied listening situations. They are also the most expensive hearing aids available.
How to Choose a Hearing Aid : Hearing Aids and Your Lifestyle : Appearance of Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Durability : Hearing Aid Technology : Cost & Payment Options
