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Hearing Aid Technology/Features
Digital Hearing Aids contain an actual computer, or microprocessor. The digital computer chip analyzes environmental sounds to determine if the sound is noise or speech, and makes millions of calculations per second to then deliver amplified, distortion-free signals to the ear. Digital hearing aids automatically adjust volume control with little or no effort from the user. They provide management of loudness discomfort, automatic control of acoustic feedback (whistling sounds), and noise reduction. Unless otherwise requested, all hearing aids fit at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions are 100% digital technology.
Noise Reduction: This is a program within the hearing aid processor that senses noise in the environment and then reduces the gain in the frequency where the noise is present. The digital circuit can do this since most noise is at a steady pitch, tone, and volume. Most speech is constantly changing in pitch, tone, and volume. This feature works to maintain the loudness of speech while minimizing noise.
Directional Microphones: For hearing aid users, one of the best ways to improve speech understanding in noisy listening environments is through the use of directional microphones. A conventional hearing aid microphone (omni-directional) is equally sensitive to all incoming sounds, regardless of the direction of the sounds. Directional microphones are optimized to be less sensitive to sounds from a specific direction (typically behind the hearing aid user), and more sensitive to sounds in a different direction (typically in front of the user). In general, the higher the level of hearing aid technology you select, the more advanced the directional microphone system will be in the hearing aid.
Multiple bands: In a multi-band hearing aid, input sounds are divided into a number of separate bands, each of which is separately programmed and controlled. The more bands in a hearing aid, the better we are able to "fine tune" the hearing aid to your hearing loss and listening situations. All hearing aids fit at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions have multiple bands. In general, the higher the level of hearing aid technology you select, the more bands will be available in the hearing aid.
Feedback (Whistling) Cancellation: In the past, feedback or "whistling" coming from hearing aids in the ear was a significant problem. Fortunately, modern day advanced feedback suppression systems are very effective in eliminating this bothersome problem. Current hearing aids have sensor circuits to continually detect and eliminate feedback. It is normal for hearing aids to whistle while they are out of the ear, or while you are inserting them in the ear, but hearing aids should not whistle when programmed correctly and inserted properly in the ear.
Bluetooth Technology: Bluetooth uses short-range wireless radio technology to connect devices to each other, generally within a distance of 30 ft.Cell phones, tv adaptors, landline phone adaptors, and MP3 players and now hearing aids are some examples of electronic devices that can be Bluetooth enabled. This technology not only allows for better listening on the phone by sending the audio signal directly through your hearing aid(s), but it also allows for hands-free cell phone use! Many hearing aids on the market now have Bluetooth connectivity.
Telecoil (Telephone Program): Some hearing aids have an induction coil inside that allows you to switch from the normal listening setting to the telecoil setting in order to hear better on the telephone. Some hearing aids switch automatically to the telecoil setting when placing the phone receiver next to your ear, while other hearing aids require the push of a button to switch to this program. When your hearing aid switches to the telecoil setting, environment sounds are eliminated, and you only pick up sound from the telephone. You can talk without your hearing aid "whistling" because the microphone of the hearing aid is turned off! All wired telephones produced today must be hearing aid compatible through the use of a telecoil.
Manual Controls: All digital hearing aids make some automatic adjustments to different input sounds, and the more advanced hearing aids can make extensive automatic adjustments depending on the listening environment and input sounds. However, sometimes it is beneficial to have a "manual override" option to access programs specially designed for a specific listening situation (i.e. music, church, or listening to your wife in the car). Manual programs can be accessed through a program button on the hearing aid, or through a remote control. Manual volume control changes are also available on certain hearing aids, or through a remote control.
