A hearing aid is an electronic gadget that fits in your ear to help you hear better. It makes certain sounds louder, helping people with hearing loss or issues to hear, communicate, and participate in daily activities.
People with hearing troubles often struggle to hear quiet sounds or when there’s a lot of background noise. Hearing aids can make their lives easier by catering to their specific needs.
A hearing aid has three main parts: a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. The microphone picks up sounds and converts them to electrical signals, the amplifier boosts these signals, and the speaker sends these amplified sounds into the ear so the person can hear them clearly.
Understanding the parts and types of hearing aids can help you choose the best one for you. These devices can help improve hearing and understanding for those with hearing loss due to damage in the inner ear’s small sensory cells, known as cochlear hair cells. This type of damage, called sensorineural hearing impairment, can be caused by disease, aging, loud noises, or certain medications.
Hearing aids amplify the sound vibrations entering the ear and convert them into neural signals. These signals are then sent to the brain by the remaining hair cells. The amplification helps to make up for the hearing loss, allowing people to enjoy sounds.
For those with severe damage to hair cells, higher amplification is needed. However, there are safety limits on the amount of amplification that can be provided.
There are different styles of hearing aids, and choosing one depends on your specific hearing loss and cosmetic preferences. Types of hearing aids include behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and in-canal (ITC).
BTE hearing aids have a hard-plastic case worn behind the ear, connected to an earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are kept in this case, and the device sends sound through the earmold into the ear. BTE aids can be used by anyone with mild to severe hearing loss.
ITE hearing aids fit inside the ear and are recommended for moderate to severe hearing loss. The hard plastic case protects the electronic components from dirt and ear wax. These aids often have telecoils, which let users hear sound through their hearing aid’s circuitry instead of its microphone. This is helpful for hearing phone conversations more clearly.
ITC hearing aids fit inside the ear canal and are almost completely hidden. They suit people with mild to moderate hearing loss but can be tricky to adjust due to their small size and are prone to earwax clogging.
Analog hearing aids turn sound waves into electrical signals and amplify them. Users have personalized settings recommended by their audiologist. An analog or programmable hearing aid can have multiple settings for different environments, from quiet rooms to noisy restaurants.
Digital hearing aids convert sound waves into numerical codes and amplify them. The code includes information about the sound’s pitch and loudness, so the device can be tuned to amplify specific frequencies more than others. The digital circuits allow an audiologist to adjust the hearing device based on the user’s needs and can focus on particular sounds.
To find the right hearing aid, you need to understand how the parts work. With professional guidance, you’ll find a suitable style and type that lets you enjoy sounds like anyone else. Before purchasing a hearing aid, consult with an audiologist to get the best option for your needs.