Do all Hearing Aids work the same?

Not all hearing aids work the same for all patients. There are two distinctly different types of hearing aids available for hearing loss patients, analog and digital. Analog hearing aids work by converting sound waves into amplified electronic signals. These electronic signals are then transmitted to a speaker which is worn inside the ear. All analog hearing aids are programmed by the manufacturer or provider with a computer; however, sometimes they can be adjusted by the user for different types of sound environments. The analog type of hearing aids can be set by the user for locations such as crowded events, small dinner parties or open locations such as theaters.

Digital hearing aids are similar to analog aids in that they convert sound waves into another form of transmission prior to entering the inner ear. In the case of digital aids, the sound waves are converted into digital code, much like computer programs. Digital aids are much more programmable than analog aids and they can be fine tuned to adjust themselves to particular noise environments. Digital circuitry can be used in all types of hearing aids and can be programmed more specifically to a particular patient.  This is why digital hearing aids have been clinically proven to improve speech understanding over analog. Only a licensed hearing professional can indicate the best type of hearing aid for a particular patient.

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