How Hearing Aids Work
- Sound is captured by the microphone inside the hearing aid and converted into an electrical signal or numerical code.
- The converted sound is then calculated using customized digital algorithms based on your level of hearing loss, personal preference, and needs.
- The signal is converted back into sound and projected to the inner ear, bypassing the damaged hair cells in the cochlea to reach the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve receives the sound and carries it to the brain to process what was heard.
Analog vs Digital Hearing Aids
There are two primary electronic versions of the hearing aid: analog and digital. While the general idea of capturing sound and transferring it to the auditory nerve is the same, analog and digital hearing aids convert the sound differently.
Analog Hearing Aids
Digital Hearing Aids
Analog hearing aids convert sound waves into electrical signals which are then amplified and sent to the auditory nerve. Analog hearing aids require programming by a hearing care provider.
Digital hearing aids convert sound into numerical codes and use different algorithms to personalize the listening experience. Digital hearing aids require programming by a hearing care provider.
Advantages
- – generally less expensive than digital hearing aids.
Advantages
- – offers more sensitive programming for better customization.
- – many more options available to choose from.
- – greater control over the amplification of sound.
- – can be programmed to increase or decrease the pitch and/or frequency of captured sounds.
Disadvantages
- – offers less settings than digital hearing aids which may be limiting to the user.
- – cannot provide the personalization that a digital hearing aid can.
- – many less options to choose from.
Disadvantages
- – higher price point for the most advanced digital hearing aids (though many affordable options when considering more baseline devices).
Analog Hearing Aids
Analog hearing aids convert sound waves into electrical signals which are then amplified and sent to the auditory nerve. Analog hearing aids require programming by a hearing care provider.
Advantages
- – generally less expensive than digital hearing aids.
Disadvantages
- – offers less settings than digital hearing aids which may be limiting to the user.
- – cannot provide the personalization that a digital hearing aid can.
- – many less options to choose from.
Digital Hearing Aids
Digital hearing aids convert sound into numerical codes and use different algorithms to personalize the listening experience. Digital hearing aids require programming by a hearing care provider.
Advantages
- – offers more sensitive programming for better customization.
- – many more options available to choose from.
- – greater control over the amplification of sound.
- – can be programmed to increase or decrease the pitch and/or frequency of captured sounds.
Disadvantages
- – higher price point for the most advanced digital hearing aids (though many affordable options when considering more baseline devices).
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