How Hearing Aids Work
Hearing aids are devices that help people who are hearing impaired to hear more clearly. People who require hearing aids may need them for both ears or a person may only require a hearing aid in one ear only. Typically these types of devices are not suitable for people who are deaf, however, they can be successfully worn by people who are partially deaf and who may even have profound hearing loss. When buying a hearing device, it is important to select a well-known device such as Siemens hearing aids and to carefully read hearing aid reviews for user experiences. There are different types of devices that work somewhat differently from one another.
Hearing aids are generally made up of the same parts. The parts of the hearing aid consist of an amplifier, speaker, microphone, and hearing aid batteries. The hearing aid batteries for Siemens hearing aids and other manufacturers vary in size and duration of use. The microphone on the hearing aid picks up the sound. The sound is then made louder by the amplifier. Once the sound has been amplified it is sent into the ear through the speaker.
When choosing a hearing aid by reading hearing aid reviews, there are two primary types to look for, which are called analog and digital. With the analog hearing aid, the microphone turns sound into electrical signals prior to amplifying them. With digital hearing aids, the sound waves are converted into programmable numerical codes that contain information about the pitch and loudness of the sound. Inside of the amplifier there is a digital processor that the sound must go through before entering the ear.
Because hearing aids only amplify sound, they are not always of use to all people who are almost completely deaf. People who are partially deaf may consider different types of hearing aids. Often manufacturers, such as those that make the Siemens hearing aids, will offer different styles of hearing aids. These hearing aids can be worn in the ear or outside of the ear. Regardless of the type of device, extra hearing aid batteries should be carried at all times as they can die abruptly and require replacement.
There are also different hearing aid styles. Hearing aids that are worn outside of the ear are called Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and will help people who have hearing loss that ranges from mild all the way to profound. With BTE hearing aids, the microphone on the outside of the device catches the sound which is transmitted through a tube to the ear mold that is fit into the ear. In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aids rest completely in the wearer's ear and are custom-made. Reading hearing aid reviews and discussing options with an audiologist will help people to get an idea of particular advantages and problems that come with either type of hearing device.