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Analogue vs. digital hearing aids

Hearing aid

 When discussing hearing aid options with your Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser you will hear hearing aids described as either ‘analogue’ or ‘digital’., and you may well wonder 'How does a hearing aid work?'

 

Both types of hearing aid look similar and come in different sizes and styles; the difference between them is in the way that they process sound and the individual benefits that they offer.

 

Analogue hearing aids use conventional electronics. A microphone picks up the sound which is amplified and then reproduced by a ‘receiver’, which is basically a very small loudspeaker.

 

Digital hearing aids use a tiny computer to process sound which makes it possible for the device to be programmed to suit your particular type and ‘shape’ of hearing loss. Some digital aids can be pre-programmed for different listening situations according to your lifestyle – for example your work environment and social situations. Some digital aids will adjust automatically to cope with different sound environments.

 

If your hearing loss changes, digital aids can also be re-programmed to compensate for changes in your hearing levels. Many digital aids also incorporate directional microphones that allow you to hear, and focus on, sounds coming from the front more easily.

 

What is the difference?

 

Analogue Hearing Aids

Digital Hearing Aids

Convert sound into electrical signals that are amplified and passed to the earphone on the hearing aid

Convert sound to digital signals (data) that are processed precisely by a tiny computer

Some are programmable for different environments

Can be programmed to suit each person’s hearing loss

Make sounds louder but may not discriminate between them

Suppress background noise so that speech is easier to hear and understand especially in noisy environments

Usually less expensive

Usually more expensive

 

Whilst digital aids offer the latest technology in terms of processing sound they are not necessarily the solution for everyone. It is important to compare hearing aids and find a hearing aid that suits your specific hearing loss and is comfortable to wear - some people may still prefer to use analogue hearing aids.

 

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