Do you or a family member wear hearing aids? If so, you may want to understand the hearing aid components inside them. Our lead audiologist has created this simple guide to what a hearing aid contains. It also explains how each part helps you hear better in different listening environments.
What Is a Hearing Aid and What Are Its Components?
A hearing aid is a small device that amplifies sound so you can hear better. Essentially, it takes your hearing test results and applies the right amplification to the areas of hearing that have deteriorated. However, these tiny devices also pack in a significant amount of technology. For example, they include noise reduction, connectivity and streaming, among other features.
The Main Hearing Aid Components
1. Microphone
The microphone is one of the most important hearing aid components. It picks up sound waves and turns them into electrical signals. In addition, hearing aid microphones are adaptive and directional. As a result, they pick up speech far more clearly, even in background noise.
These adaptive microphones constantly change their direction and monitor your surroundings. In this way, they find the best speech-to-noise ratio, so you can hear well in noisy places. At the same time, they also reduce background noise. This gives you that all-important understanding in busy restaurants.
2. Amplifier
Once the microphones capture sound, the hearing aid must amplify it to the correct level for you. The amplifier, or digital signal processor, does this job. It increases the volume of the signal it receives from the microphone. It must also work out which sounds to amplify and which to reduce.
For example, most patients have high-frequency hearing loss, so these are the frequencies that need amplifying. In contrast, age-related hearing loss often preserves low-frequency hearing better. Therefore, the hearing aid makes high-frequency sounds louder so you can hear them. Meanwhile, it turns down low-frequency sounds that do not need as much amplification.
3. Receiver
The receiver, also called the speaker, is the part of your hearing aid that sits inside your ear. It delivers the final sound after the microphone and amplifier have cleaned and processed it. At this point, it converts the electrical signal into an acoustic signal in your ear.
The speaker must be of very high quality to keep distortion low and deliver the best sound. This is sometimes where NHS hearing aids fall short. This is because hollow open-fit tubes can create standing waves and distort the sound. However, a receiver sits inside the ear canal, so the sound travels a much shorter distance to your eardrum.
4. Power Source
All hearing aids need a power source. This is usually a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that powers all the other hearing aid components. Most lithium-ion hearing aids from the leading manufacturers now last up to 48 hours on a single charge. Most of our patients charge them overnight, so they are ready for 24 hours of use the next day.
5. Domes and Filters
The dome is a small silicone grommet that sits on the end of the speaker. It provides cushioning and comfort while the hearing aid sits in your ear. Think of the cushions on in-ear headphones, which help them sit comfortably inside the ear. Manufacturers make domes from medical-grade silicone, in various sizes and shapes to suit your ear canal.
Filters also stop dirt and debris from getting into the speaker. You can also change them whenever required.
6. Connectivity
Most hearing aids today are wireless, so they can connect to Bluetooth devices. As a result, you can stream television or phone calls through your hearing aids at the level of your prescription. This makes phone calls, watching television and listening to music far easier. Gone are the days of holding a phone to your ear to find the best contact with your hearing aid.
Furthermore, most devices are now moving to the new Auracast technology. It is available in places such as theatres, banks and auditoriums. There, your hearing aids can connect automatically. So, you can hear a speaker or watch a play, even from the back row.
Programming: Getting the Most From Your Hearing Aid Components
However, the most important factor of all is your audiologist. Even the most advanced technology only works at its best if your audiologist fits it correctly. A good fitting follows best practice, including real ear measurements. These take accurate readings from your ear canal to deliver the best quality of sound.
Even the best hearing aids still need sizeable adjustments after the first fitting. For instance, your audiologist fine-tunes your prescription and sets up features such as noise reduction. This is where their experience plays a key part in getting the best results. Aftercare and ongoing maintenance also play a significant part in your overall hearing experience.
Conclusion: Small Hearing Aid Components, Big Punch
It amazes us how much hearing aid technology has evolved since we started fitting hearing aids almost 20 years ago. Advances in microchips now allow millions of processes to run in a hearing aid every second. As a result, you can enjoy optimal hearing in even the most demanding environments. So, there is no longer any need to fear the next family gathering or social lunch. With hearing aids in your ears, you can tackle most of life’s conversations with ease.
Learn more about hearing aid prices and what they offer.
If you would like to know more, get in touch with us at earwaxspecialist.co.uk. We can help you on your journey to better hearing.