Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids

What is the difference in digital hearing aids and other hearing aids?

Before "digital" we had analog hearing aids. The unique feature that makes a hearing aid "100% digital" is the computer chip inside the hearing aid where the sound processing takes place.

When a speech sound (or other sound) hits the microphone of the digital hearing aid, that sound wave is converted into a digital signal by means of an analog to digital converter. The digital signal, a series of 0's and 1's, is then processed for the patient's needs. That new signal is then converted back into a sound wave and directed toward the ear drum.

I have outlined only the basics. Of course, it is actually much more complicated than that. The computer chip inside can do much more work to process the signal than the old fashion analog hearing aids. The sound is not distorted, it is clean and crisp.

Many digital instruments have several bands of compression and several channels to shape the frequency response. Many have two microphones to provide "directional" hearing or "fully adaptive directional" hearing. They also have much better solutions to the problem of background noise. The sound is processed automatically so there is no need for a volume control.

There is less whistling in these hearing aids (acoustic feedback) because of the sophisticated circuits. Today's advancements in this field allow hearing aid wearers to enjoy hearing again in a much more natural and comfortable way.

"I am very pleased with my hearing aids. My days are much brighter as I hear so much better. I was pleased from the day I made the first phone call. Diane is very special.... I am thankful for Hearing Care Center...."--Louise B.

It is truly like having a computer in your hearing aid. The hearing aid manufacturers of the world have spent millions and millions of dollars in research and development of the very best technology for those with hearing loss. Digital hearing aids come in different levels of technology, and therefore different price ranges. Some are better than others at managing the background noise. Those hearing aids with the more sophisticated circuits for background noise cost more because they do so much more.

Digital aids also come in different sizes, from completely-in-the-canal to behind-the-ear. The newest and most exciting technology is the open canal hearing aids. These instruments leave the ear canal virtually open for a more natural amplification experience. They come in "on-the-ear" styles as well as "invisible" in-the-ear styles. The open canal hearing aids allow us to fit hearing losses that, until recently, we could not fit as successfully.

Our office carries digital hearing aids from all of the best manufacturers in the world. We are able to choose the perfect digital instrument for each patient. These marvelous instruments can improve the hearing of anyone who wants to hear better. Patients with a modest budget as well a those with more discretionary income can experience better hearing and less listening fatigue.

Click the images below to visit some of the web sites of the different manufacturers of digital hearing aids.