How does a hearing aid work? Discover the features & how they work

How does a hearing aid work?

 A brief look inside today's modern digital hearing aids

Empowering those with hearing loss

Today's digital hearing aids are discreet and unobtrusive even though they include the most advanced technology out there.  Said technology assists in empowering those with hearing loss to live a better quality of life with better hearing. 

You might have just started researching hearing aids or may be wondering how your hearing aids are able to not only enhance your soundscape but also give you access to advanced Bluetooth connectivity and personable focus.

Quick links to more information about digital hearing aids:

• Digital hearing aids with Bluetooth  
• Rechargeable digital hearing aids  
• Digital hearing aids for tinnitus  
• Digital hearing aid accessories  

How Does a Hearing Aid Work?

But first...what is a digital hearing aid?

A digital hearing aid is an electronic device that you either wear inside your ear or behind your ear.  These types of digital hearing aids are generically called:  Behind-the-Ear (BTE) or In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids.  A hearing aid amplifies sounds so that those with hearing loss can better hear, communicate, connect and get the most out of their lifestyle.

However, those with hearing loss don't see hearing aids as just an amplifier - they see them as more of a lifeline.  A clever and sophisticated communication device that has the ability to empower the hearing impaired - so they live life to the fullest.

Digital hearing aid quality & clarity

The better the quality of the hearing aid the better the sound and the more natural your listening experience will be.  Device features like noise management, feedback manager, automatic volume regulator and bandwidth make the realistic soundscape possible. 

The modern advanced hearing aids offer impressive ranges of features, settings and personalised options, so the wearer can experience the best possible sound for their needs and connect wirelessly to devices and to the world.

All digital hearing aids analyse, filter and boost all relevant sounds.  The sound you hear is all based on the way your hearing aids have been programmed.  Your audiologist will program your hearing aids to suit your hearing needs - based on your type of hearing loss.

Digital hearing aid parts

In all good and modern digital hearing aids, there are basic components - microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, batteries and processing chips.  The processing chip assists the advanced technology and the batteries provide the power to do so. The three main pieces of technology that ensure the functionality of the hearing aid are the microphone, amplifier and speaker. 

Here are the functions of the main digital hearing aid parts

How do hearing aid amplifiers work?  The microphone receives the sounds, switches the sound waves into electrical signals and transmits them to the amplifier, which then increases the power and level of the signals and finally sends them to the ear through the speaker. 

How does a hearing aid work diagram & breakdown below

Here's how a hearing aid works:

• Small microphones pick up the sound around you.
• These sounds are analysed by a processing chip.
• These processed sounds are then sent to the amplifier.
• Amplified sounds are then sent to the loudspeaker.
• Then the sounds are sent by the loudspeaker into the inner ear, through tubing in an ear mould in the ear canal, or through a thin wire to a receiver in the ear.
• In the inner ear, these sounds switch to electrical impulses.
• Impulses are finally sent to the brain where they are processed.

How can digital hearing aids help?

How well do digital hearing aids work?  Hearing aids are used for improving hearing and speech understanding for those with hearing loss.  A hearing aid amplifies sound vibrations that go into your ear.  Those with hearing loss generally have surviving hair cells that recognise the most powerful sound vibrations and then switch them into neural signals to be sent to the brain.  

Want to know more about digital hearing aids?

Fill out the contact form below or call us free on 0800 567 7621 for support and advice, as well as putting you in touch with your local audiologist for your future hearing healthcare needs.