How Do Hearing Aids Work?
How Hearing Aids Turn Sound Into Clearer Hearing
Microphones, digital processors, amplifiers, and speakers in hearing aids work together to capture, shape, and deliver sound more clearly to your ears.
Here’s how the pieces of the puzzle fit together to give you the most natural experience possible:
- 1.
Step 1: Microphones pick up sound
The microphones in hearing aids collect sounds around you and send them into the hearing aid for processing. - 2.
Step 2: The processor analyzes and adjusts sound
The digital processor acts as the brain of the hearing aid, separating speech from background noise and adjusting sound to deliver clearer hearing. - 3.
Step 3: The amplifier boosts what matters most
The hearing aid amplifier boosts the most important sounds for you, like speech, while reducing and filtering out background noise you don’t want to hear. - 4.
Step 4: The receiver (speaker) delivers sound into the ear
The receiver delivers the refined sound into your ears, turning digital signals back into clear, usable sound your brain can understand.
Advanced Sound Features in Today’s Hearing Aids
The technology in hearing aids makes a big difference in how and what you hear. It’s important to get as much as you can afford for the best hearing experience.
Here’s a look at some of the most modern, smart tech that can enhance your hearing and life:
- AI-powered personalization (artificial intelligence) - Learns your preferences and automatically adapts sound settings based on your environment and listening habits.
- Smartphone apps - Let you adjust settings for a more personalized hearing experience.
- Bluetooth connectivity - Allows pairing with phones, TVs, your car, and smart devices so you can stream sound right into your hearing aids.
- Directional microphones - Focus on sound from specific directions to provide a more natural hearing experience and improve clarity in any environment.
- Feedback suppression - Detects and prevents whistling or squealing sounds, delivering comfortable, clear listening without distractions.
- Noise reduction - Reduces background noise to improve speech clarity in noisy environments.
Hearing Aid Types and Features Explained
It’s amazing how much modern technology can fit inside of today’s tiny hearing aids. But, which one is best for you and your level of hearing loss?
Your hearing needs, preferences, and comfort with technology can help you find the right style for you. Here’s how they compare:
Behind-The-Ear (BTE) - Best for Power and Flexibility
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) - Most Common, Natural Sound
In-The-Ear (ITE) - Custom Fit to the Ear
Completely-In-Canal (CIC) / Invisible-In-Canal (IIC) - Ultra-Discreet Power
Over-The-Counter (OTC) vs. Prescription
Getting Used to Hearing Aids for the First Time
No matter which style or how much technology you get, practice makes perfect. When first wearing hearing aids, it can take 2 to 4 weeks to adjust to them.
Here’s how to set yourself up for success and get the most out of your hearing aids:
Set realistic expectations for the first few days
Your first days with hearing aids are all about slowly adjusting. Start by wearing them daily for short periods of time, and slowly increase wear time each day.
Once your brain begins reconnecting with the sounds you’ve been missing and processing them more easily, you’ll find them easier to wear.
Understand that sounds may feel “different” at first
Hearing sound clearly again, even your own voice, may seem odd or unfamiliar at first. This is normal and temporary as your brain relearns how to process certain sounds again.
Things will sound more natural the more you wear your hearing aids and adjust over 2 to 4 weeks.
Attend follow-up appointments
Follow-up visits allow your hearing care professional to fine-tune settings based on your experience and needs. Adjustments help hearing aids feel their most comfortable and work their best for you.
Be patient with yourself.
Start by wearing your hearing aids just a few hours a day the first few days and increase wear time daily over the next 2 to 4 weeks.
Allow yourself to take breaks when needed.
Ease into louder environments.
Get hearing aid adjustments to fine-tune your experience.
