Digital Hearing Aids

Digital Technology:

Hearing aids which are fully digital process sound mathematically bit by bit. In place of electronic components, digital hearing aids contain millions of tiny electrical parts micro-manufactured into a single silicon chip. The computer programmed silicon chip within the aid applies continuous digital processing to incoming sound. Here's how these digital hearing aids work:

1. The hearing aid microphone turns sound into an analog electrical signal.
2. A filter removes inaudible frequencies.
3. This filtered analog signal goes to the analog-to-digital converter which changes it to a numerical digital signal (0s and 1s) so it can be manipulated by the hearing aid's internal computer (DSP chip).
4. This chip is programmed to perform many numerical operations (filtering, noise reduction, loudness compensation, and feedback cancellation) depending on the algorithm used.
5. The digital signal is converted back into an audible sound for the patient to hear. These functions are performed instantly and continually.

The five most important questions regarding digital hearing instruments:

1. How many channels does it have? How many do I need?
2. What type of Automatic Signal Processing compression does it use? What type would best fit my lifestyle?
3. How many memories does it have? How many various listening situations do I encounter?
4. Does it come with a remote control? Do I need a remote control?
5. Does it offer multiple or directional microphones for hearing in noise?

User Benefits:

• The preciseness of digital computer technology.
• Availability of Automatic Signal Processing circuits which are not available with nonprogrammable instruments.
• Remote control (available on some models).
• Multiple memories for various listening situations.
• Multiple circuit options within a single instrument which achieve different sound qualities.
• Automatically achieves more volume for the soft, high frequency sounds and less volume for the more intense, low frequency sounds.
• Capable of retaining the patient's complete audiometric file and preferred listening program for various environments.
• Ability to readjust your prescription should your hearing loss change.