What You Need To Know About Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is a small programmable device which is worn in or behind the ear. It amplifies the sound so that a person with hearing loss can hear, communicate in daily activities and listen more effectively. Hearing aids are effective in both noisy and quiet situations. A hearing aid price list is available at the Center for hearing Aids website.

The hearing aid has three major parts- the amplifier, the speaker and the microphone. Sound is received through the microphone which converts sound waves to electrical signals and transmits them to the amplifier.  The amplifier increases the power of the signals and transmits them to the ear via a speaker.

There are three major types of hearing aids.

·         Digital hearing Aids

·         Programmable hearing Aids

·         Conventional hearing Aids

Digital hearing aids – these use state of the art technology. Digital hearing Aids are computer programmed fully automatic hearing aids that serve as comfortable “Assistive Listening Devices “for people with hearing Loss. These hearing aids are programmed as per the loss of the person, where each level of frequency can be adjusted at the most comfortable level. This is achieved by using pre defined channels or bands within a hearing aid.

The more the number of channels or bands , the more precise the  sound processing of the hearing aid. Hearing aids have become intelligent enough to tell the difference between noise and speech, thus making noise control and noise reduction more smooth and efficient for the patient.

Although it is often said that we can never match our god gifted sense of hearing, we are coming close with our digital hearing aids.

Programmable hearing Aids – these use more advanced technology than the conventional hearing aids. The aids are programmed by a computer allowing a better way to address a patients hearing needs. This allows a greater flexibility and fine tuning capability. These instruments basically use analogue conventional circuits which are operated by a computer.

Conventional hearing Aids - Conventional hearing aids use basic analogue technology to provide quality amplification to patients with hearing loss. The defining feature of these hearing aids is that they provide the same amount of amplification to all levels of sound intensity. Some patients may find too much or too little sound to comfortable reach the desired listening level for the particular hearing loss. As they are reasonably priced, conventional electronics represent the most basic type of amplification and are suitable where finances are a constraint.

Types of hearing aids

·   CIC completely in canal- these are the smallest type of hearing aids and are almost invisible in the ear.

·       ITC-In the canal – These are bigger than the CIC and fit deep into the ear canal.

·      ITE- In the Ear- Due to their larger size, these hearing aids can be used for a wider range of hearing losses

·   BTE- Behind the Ear- With the BTE aid the electronics are housed in a case that fits behind the ear.

The Hearing Aid Price List is a comprehensive list which compares different styles and models of hearing aids.