Digital Hearing Aids

The ability to fine tune digital hearing aids makes them more effective than analog aids.

There are currently two types of hearing aids available for those with hearing loss, digital and analog.  While there are similarities between the two types of devices, there are also vast differences which make digital hearing aids much more effective than analog.  In the past, the initial cost of digital hearing aids had placed them out of reach for many budgets.  Today’s digital hearing aids are generally available through over-the-counter manufacturers who offer more affordable pricing.

Analog hearing aids take in external sound waves, convert them to an electrical signal and amplify the sound.  This basic function of a hearing aid is carried out very well by the traditional analog hearing devices.  Unfortunately, analog hearing aids also amplify background noise and other ambient sounds, without being able to discriminate between a conversation and a car passing.  Some analog hearing aids are somewhat programmable, allowing the user to manually change the setting or volume on the hearing aid.  Although this may alleviate some of the amplification of unwanted background noise, it does not come close to the programmability and correction of a digital hearing aid.

Digital hearing aids are highly programmable, allowing the provider to adjust the initial program of the hearing aid to be compatible with a specific prescription.  Digital hearing aids can be exacting to amplify sounds you are individually missing, allowing the aid to differentiate between sounds that need to be amplified and sounds that don’t need to be amplified like background noise.  Some digital hearing aids are advanced enough to contain more than one microphone and allow even more advanced clarification of sound for the hearing impaired.

When diagnosed with any level of hearing loss, a patient should investigate all of their hearing aid options.  Depending on your hearing loss there are a variety of options for most patients.  Especially if you’re looking for minimal size, and maximum functionality, digital hearing aid options should be discussed with a hearing professional.

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