Hearing aid technology is becoming more sophisticated everyday. While the basic components of all hearing aids are the same, various technologies result in a wide range of hearing aid features.
Digital: Digital hearing aids contain computer chips that convert the continuous electronic signal into numeric coded signals. In this form, the digital hearing aid can perform complex processing of the sound, such as reducing the intensity of loud background noise, at an extremely fast rate and with a high degree of precision. This type of hearing aid, programmed via computer, offers the greatest flexibility in its ability to match the hearing aid response to the hearing loss. |
Similar to the digital technology used in CD players, cameras and cell phones, digital hearing aids offer advanced sound quality and sophisticated features.
Programmable: Programmable hearing aids must be connected to a computer in order for your hearing healthcare professional to make adjustments. These hearing aids offer more flexibility and can provide more features.
Analog: Also called conventional or non-programmable, analog hearing aids pick up sound and convert it into electronic signals. These hearing aids have trimmers that are manually adjusted by a hearing healthcare professional using a tiny screwdriver. Analog hearing aids are the least flexible, but also the least expensive level of hearing aid technology. |
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