Most hearing aids fit today have digital technology. Digital hearing aids function as miniature computers. This is a major breakthrough because much more sound processing is possible within a small space. The newer hearing aids offer far greater programming flexibility, and produce a crisper, cleaner sound. These hearing aids have the ability to analyze the acoustic environment and adjust the amplification accordingly. Speech is perceived more comfortably and clearly for many patients in a variety of sound environments.
Some of the features encountered in current hearing aids include:
Multiple memories: This feature allows the user to choose between different listening strategies optimized for a variety of listening situations. This feature is beneficial for people with active lifestyles who regularly encounter varying acoustic environments.
Directional microphones: Hearing aids may offer "multi-channel adaptive directionality" which means that the hearing aid microphones continually respond to the speech and noise sources in the environment to provide the best possible signal-to-noise ratio for the listener. The goal of this feature is to preserve speech understanding in the presence of background noise.
Digital Noise Reduction (DNR): This processing is intended to reduce gain, either in the low frequencies or in specific bands, when steady-state signals (noise) are detected.
Digital Speech Enhancement (DSE): These systems act to increase the relative intensity of some segments of speech. Current DSE processing identifies and enhances speech based either on temporal, or more recently, spectral content.
Feedback management: Hearing aid users may now expect less likelihood of feedback (whistling). This is important because newer hearing aids can provide more audibility of soft sounds without feedback. Open fittings, which provide relief for occlusion, are also possible because of digital advancements in feedback management.
Noise management: The newest algorithms for processing speech in the presence of noise not only promote more comfortable listening, but aim to preserve speech intelligibility.
Wide dynamic range compression: Our goal with amplification is to bring soft sounds into the audible range, while loud sounds are maintained at a comfortable level; at the same time moderate conversational levels should be perceived as comfortable. Digital hearing aids allow a complex relationship between sound coming into the hearing aids and sound coming out in order to accomplish this goal. Because the amount of amplification is related to the level of the incoming sound, volume control is usually automatic.
Mini/micro options: There are more options than ever for patients who prefer tiny or stylish hearing aids. In addition to the completely-in-the-canal (CIC) aids, there are new very small over-the-ear aids which couple the sound to the ear through a very narrow tube. These sleek little aids are available in a wide range of high-tech colors, so the look can be either discreet or fashion/fun.
Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth technology is a method to exchange data over short distances, from cell phone or other peripheral devices. It is an open wireless protocol which creates personal area networks. When hearing aids are equipped with this wireless networking technology, they become Bluetooth hearing aids and provide wireless connectivity with peripheral devices such as cellphones, TV, computers, etc.
As hearing aid technology continues to improve, hearing aids make better decisions in amplification to optimize comfort and speech audibility and intelligibility. For more information on hearing aid technology please contact Larnaca Audiology Center.
Pavlou Valdaseridi 24, KEVE court, office #2, Larnaca, 6018, CYPRUS
Web: www.larnacaaudiologycenter.com
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: (+357) 24665551 - (+357) 99299091
