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How do hearing aids works? Explained by the experts

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How hearing aids work

Understanding the importance of hearing aids to better your hearing and quality of life depends greatly on understanding the fundamentals of how these devices function. Reaching this understanding often creates a better sense of how they can suit your unique hearing needs accurately and effectively.

Here are some key factors for how hearing aids work:

  1. The sounds created from speech or in the surrounding environment enter the hearing instrument through one or two microphones.
  1. As sound is an analogue energy wave, this is sampled by the hearing aid to decipher the correct noise. In essence, hearing aids assist by extracting information and converting the soundwave into a code for the microchip to interpret and replicate.
  1. The sound that is converted is analysed by its pitch, volume and direction. The processing power of the hearing aid’s microchip determines how well it can analyse these complex structures. This makes selecting a hearing aid that can meet your hearing needs essential.
  1. When hearing aids arrive at the audiologist, the microchip needs to be set from scratch to compensate for your specific hearing needs. These settings are determined through your diagnostic test, which is typically done during the fitting.
  1. The audiologist can also utilize more advanced settings related to the maximum volume allowed on the device, noise reduction capabilities, speech enhancement features, wind noise management, its response to impactful sounds, and its specific variation in different environments.

Many newer hearing aids have Bluetooth capability, which allows for them to be connected to electronic devices. This betters the ability to function in society and interact with social devices such as cellular phones. Some hearing aids are also able to transmit directly to the nerve using a vibration outlet.

The crucial role of the audiologist

Hearing loss can be caused by various factors, including age, noise exposure, ear damage, and even illness. A hearing aid compensates for the discrepancy and will more accurately meet your requirements when correctly supplied and fitted by a trained and qualified audiologist.

Through accurate diagnosis, advising on the correct device for your specific hearing needs and setting the device to perform correctly for your unique hearing needs, audiologists contribute significantly to the success of the hearing aid device.