Does a hearing aid help in background noise?
There are two ways of reducing background noise with current technology. One way is through the use of directional/dual microphone technology. These instruments often allow the patient to “turn off” the back microphone when background noise is interfering with speech. Many of the products available also offer the ability for the hearing aid to automatically select the best program for each listening environment. This way the patient doesn’t have to do anything! The second way to improve communication in the presence of background noise is through the use of 100% digital hearing aids. The FDA has developed very stringent guidelines regarding hearing instruments that are advertised as reducing background noise. In order for a hearing aid to be advertised as reducing background noise it has to have been clinically tested and receive FDA approval. Please be aware that there are no hearing instruments available that remove all background noise. The newest hearing aid technology contains 100
There have been claims that hearing aids can eliminate background noise and amplify only the sounds you want to hear. The new 100% digital hearing aids do the best job in minimizing background noise; however, hearing aids cannot remove background noise. The newest hearing aid technology contains a 100% digital circuit which measures and reduces “noise-like” sound with a series of mathematical computations. The digital hearing aids process sound almost instantaneously, a feat hearing aids have never before been able to accomplish. This processing ability allows for the best hearing improvement when background noise is present. If you tried hearing aids and could not adapt due to the overwhelming amplification of background noise, you will find the digital hearing aid a major breakthrough in hearing aid technology.
