Hearing Aid Technology Information

Hearing Aid Technology

At Montgomery Ear Nose and Throat Center, we have a wide array of hearing aid styles. They range from behind-the-ear and over-the-ear to custom in-the-ear and completely-in-the-ear styles. When choosing a hearing aid, we realize the look and comfort is a important personal decision. However, the level of technology you choose to put inside your hearing aid is also a critical part of the decision making process.

Digital hearing aids have a tiny computer chip inside capable of processing millions of operations per second in addition to flexibility of programming with your audiologist.

Understanding people in noisy environments is typically the number one concern for those with hearing loss. Digital technology has three distinct features that set them apart from previous hearing aids when dealing with noise. The first advancement is directional microphones. In the directional mode, a hearing aid is primarily amplifying the sounds in front of you, which decreases the awareness of background noise behind you. In addition, by using digital sound processing, the circuit is analyzing incoming information for speech content. It is able to identify speech-like sounds and amplify the frequencies or pitches where this information is detected, therefore bringing speech up above the other non-speech sounds. The third feature is often called a “noise manager.” These digital processors are listening to your environment and can detect and reduce multiple noise sources at one time!

Digital technology offers several other benefits such as adaptive feedback technology. This is important when someone is experiencing feedback or a “whistling” problem with their hearing aids. The advanced hearing aids have very fast adaptive feedback cancellers allowing users to talk on the phone without pressing the button to a telephone only mode. Many hearing aids also come with a delay from when the hearing aid is turned on to when it begins amplifying, which allows you time to insert the hearing aid without it “whistling.” Hearing aids now come with low battery indicator beeps to warn you when the battery is going to quit. 

Depending on the amount of hearing loss you have, and the typical activities you participate in, we have three levels of technology to choose from.

• Value: Basic digital hearing aids are great for simple listening environments such as quiet home activities, and one on one or small group conversations.
• Mid-level: A person who also attends meetings, religious gatherings and visits quiet restaurants would get good benefit with a mid-level digital hearing aid.
• High-end: An active person who attends sporting events, converses in large groups/meetings, and eats in busy restaurants often (in addition to the above listed activities) would find a high-end digital hearing instrument most advantageous.

Each level of technology is available in every size of hearing aid, which can be seen in the pictures below. Every style has specific advantages and disadvantages, which is why we are willing to change styles or technology if you are not satisfied with your initial decision.  

As should be expected, individual success with hearing amplification will vary depending on the type and severity of your hearing loss as well as proper testing and fitting of the hearing aid. It is important to have realistic expectations about your hearing aids, since no hearing aid on the market can completely replace or restore your normal hearing. To determine which type of hearing aid will best fit your individual needs, please feel free to contact our office and set up an appointment with one of our audiologists.