UT Hearing Aids - Levels of technology

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Different Levels of Technology

The inside mechanisms of hearing aids vary among devices, even if they are the same style. Three types of circuitry, or electronics, are used:

Conventional Technology - This type of circuitry is the least expensive and least flexible. The type of aid generally makes all sounds louder and the patient uses a volume control wheel to adjust the volume in different situations.
Digitally Programmable Technology - This circuitry allows for a more flexible hearing aid. More volume can be given in the low pitches or high pitches as needed. Limited automatic volume control is available. It is programmed through the computer, but still an analog processor.
Fully Digital Technology - A digital signal processing chip samples sounds and coverts the sounds to numbers. The numbers are sent through formulas and the sound is shaped to best amplify the pitches of your hearing loss. Digital circuitry provides the most flexibility for the audiologist to make adjustments for the hearing aid to fit your specific hearing loss. Digital circuitry is typically the most expensive.

What are the Benefits of Programmable Hearing Aids?

Many programmable hearing aids have capabilities that basic analog hearing aids do not. These capabilities result in more flexibility for hearing-aid users and a more precise fit for their needs. The audiologist will be happy to discuss this further with you during a Hearing Aid Consultation.

Although no hearing aid can eliminate background noise, especially when the "noise" is competing speech, programmable hearing aids have been shown to improve speech understanding and ease of listening for many users.