How Hearing Aids Work

Understanding the Nuts and Bolts of Hearing Aids and How They Can Help Increase Hearing

Today’s hearing aids consider mostly of digital hearing aid technology (7 out of 10 are now digital), which allow for the most precise hearing assistance and even the most precise ear fitting. Digital hearing aids usually contain a chip that, as you may have guessed, is programmed by a computer, allowing for a near-perfect match between hearing loss and hearing aid, accurately prescribing the amount of amplification needed – all of which ensure the very best results.

But, just how do hearing aids work? Let’s start at the beginning and take an in-depth look inside hearing aids.

If you’ve been looking into hearing aids, you’ve undoubtedly seen words like “channel” and “band”. No, we’re not talking a Ham radio here; we really are referring to hearing aids, the ones that offer the advanced aid, comfort, and affordability you are looking for.

The words “channels” and “bands” are somewhat interchangeable, with a meaning somewhat similar to that of a stereo’s equalizer channel, allowing each channel to work to raise and lower the specific volume of a frequency or tone range, depending on the type of sound. This makes for the most precise hearing and allows for programming of the hearing aid that tailors it to the users exact needs, which is why most hearing aid manufacturers now rely on digital technology.

This advanced technology allows for the amplification of incoming sounds to be processed individually, while simultaneously enabling the user to have more flexibility and to actually fine-tune the hearing aids capabilities, creating yet even more benefits for you, your ears, and all those around you!

Now, your brain receives information from your ears. To interpret this accurately, the brain needs the sounds to arrive at different times. The brain than adds together the sounds sent from both ears. Because there is different timing, frequencies, even different locations from which the sounds originate, it is important to seek out advanced digital technology, for this allows for the most accurate and real-sounding hearing.

While the price of digital hearing aids is slightly higher that the older models, the results are more than worth it, with users boasting the best hearing they have had in years.

Despite such advances in hearing aids, only seven or eight of the hearing aid manufacturers in the U.S. rely on digital technology. But, more about that and about the workings of hearing aids later.

Next > Hearing Testing: What It Is and What To Expect