How do hearing aids work?
Regardless of the brand or style, all hearing aids have the same basic components. The microphone gathers sound and converts it into electrical energy. Some models may have mulitiple microphones to gather sound from different directions. In digital hearing aids, the electrical impulses are converted into a format that can be processed by a computer chip and modified to meet the users specific listening needs. In analog hearing aids an amplifier increases the volume of the sound to make it audible to the wearer. Next, the electrical energy is converted back to sound wave and transmitted to the ear through a tiny speaker or receiver. Batteries are required to power all of the components in the hearing aid.
Hearing aids are made up of four primary components; a battery for power, microphone, amplifier, and receiver ( speaker ). Sound is picked up by the microphone and sent to the amplifier, where it is increased according to the wearer’s need. The amplifier then sends the signal to the receiver, which sends the amplified sound into the ear. Today’s digital hearing aids are more complex, but still perform the same basic function of amplifying sound. The difference is in the digital processor contained in the amplifier portion of the hearing aid. These are actually mini computers and are capable of performing a variety of functions.
Hearing aids are basically made up of four primary components; a battery for power, microphone, amplifier, and receiver ( speaker ). Sound is picked up by the microphone and sent to the amplifier, where it is increased according to the wearer’s need. The amplifier then sends the signal to the receiver, which sends the amplified sound into the ear. Today’s digital hearing aids are more complex, but still perform the same basic function of amplifying sound. The difference is in the digital processor contained in the amplifier portion of the hearing aid. These are actually mini computers and are capable of performing a variety of functions.
Hearing aids fill the gap created by a hearing loss by receiving and amplifying sound. While there are many types of hearing aid technology, the four basic components common to them all are: 1) a microphone, which receives sound and translates it into electrical impulses; 2) an amplifier, which makes those electrical impulses stronger; 3) a receiver, which translates those now-stronger impulses into louder sounds; and 4) a battery, which serves as a power source for the whole system. Hearing aids vary widely in their styles, sizes, and levels of circuit technology. Your audiologist will help you to choose the hearing aid style and circuitry that is right for your hearing loss and lifestyle.
A hearing aid makes sounds louder so that you are able to hear them. It is battery-operated and you usually put it in or around your ear. Hearing aids are available in different shapes, sizes and types. However, all hearing aids work in a similar way. Very simply, they all have a built-in microphone that picks up sound. This sound is then processed electronically, either by analogue circuits or digitally. The resulting “signals” are then passed to a receiver, or earphone, in the hearing aid where they are converted back into sounds for you to hear. A hearing aid also has an ear mould that goes in your ear, tubing and batteries. The type of hearing aid you get will depend on your hearing loss and what you find comfortable.
