How Do Hearing Aids Work?

Hearing aids are the perfect intersection of engineering and technology. These very small computerized devices do exactly what their name implies: they aid hearing. Hearing aids can’t restore hearing function that has been lost. But, they can help you get the most out of the hearing you still have. There are many manufacturers of hearing aids. Each manufacturer makes many different styles and models with different features. But, all hearing aids work on the same principles and have the same basic parts.

Hearing aid parts

No matter the make or model, all hearing aids have at least three key parts, including:

• Microphone: The workings of a hearing aid start with the microphone. This component grabs the sounds around you and then converts the sound waves into electrical signals. You could call it a converter since it converts sounds into digital signals for further processing.
• Amplifier: After a sound is captured and converted the amplifier increases the signal. It amplifies the sound.
• Speaker: The sound that has been converted and then amplified is delivered to the speaker. It’s the speaker’s job to deliver the signal to the hair cells in the inner ear. These aren’t hairs at all, but specialized cells on the cochlea. They convert the incoming signals into neural signals that travel through the nerves to the brain.

Hearing aid styles

The three components of hearing aids can be put together in a variety of configurations. They all fall into these broad categories.

• Behind the ear (BTE): In this configuration, the hearing aid hooks over the top of your ear and then sits behind your ear. A tube connects the hearing aid to a small piece that fits in your ear canal. This style can be worn by people of all ages with almost any level of hearing loss. The open fit variation of this style uses a small tube and keeps the ear canal open.
• In the canal (ITC): This custom-made hearing aid fits completely in the ear canal. They are very small and the least visible of the models. Because of their small size, they are more suited for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Their small size requires small batteries and requires manual dexterity to insert and remove, as well as maintain.
• In the ear (ITE): ITE models either fill the entire ear bowl (full shell) or just the lower portion (half shell). The larger size accommodates larger batteries for more power. This makes them suitable for mild-to-severe hearing loss. They are easier to insert and remove than in the canal devices but are more visible.

One hearing aid or two?

You need one hearing aid for each ear that has diminished hearing function. That means if you have hearing loss in both ears, the audiologist will recommend that you wear a hearing aid in each ear. Your brain is wired to receive signals from both ears. Wearing two hearing aids instead of one provides the stimulation your brain needs to best perceive sound location.

Best hearing aids

The best hearing aid for you is the model with the features that help you get the most out of the hearing you have. The best hearing aid depends on your level of hearing loss and your lifestyle. If you think you may have problems with your hearing, contact an audiologist. They will perform a complete hearing exam, fit just the right hearing aid and then provide the support you need to adjust to wearing hearing aids.