Many people wait to get their hearing tested, spending years unable to hear properly, potentially leading to more serious health concerns in later life. Getting your hearing tested and using a hearing aid as soon as you notice any issues is paramount for your health and your continued involvement in conversations and the community. This article outlines the components of a hearing aid and how they work together to restore hearing and significantly improve the quality of life of the people who depend on them. Finally, it should help you navigate how to find a hearing aid and sort a hearing test.
The components of hearing aids
Hearing aids are made up of a collection of components that interact with one another, allowing the hearing aid to function properly.
Microphone
The microphone registers any sounds and converts them into electrical signals. Some of the more advanced modern hearing aids use ‘omnidirectional’ microphones, meaning they can register sound from all directions and distinguish background noise from spoken noise.
Amplifier
The amplifier amplifies the electrical signals it receives from the microphones to ensure they are clear and that the correct noises are detected and processed. In this section, there is also a digital signal processor (DSP) that converts the electrical signal to a digital format. This makes it easier to process the intricacies of the sound before it reaches the person wearing the hearing aid.
Speaker
The receiver then converts the signals and digital information back into sound, sending those sounds into the ear.
Power/batteries
Hearing aids use batteries that can be either disposable or rechargeable and these can be (hopefully infrequently) replaced easily. This means your hearing aid should last you a long time without you having to replace the whole device.
Breakdown of how a hearing aid works
First, the sound is picked up by the microphone of the hearing aid, where it is converted into electrical signals. These signals are reworked by the amplifier to become clearer, reduce background noise or bad signals and then increase the strength of the audible signals that are processed. The amplified and processed signals are sent to the speaker, where they are released into the ear canal as sound waves loud enough for the individual to hear up close.
When getting a hearing aid, you will need a test to determine which hearing device is right for you and how loud or quiet you need the hearing aid’s feedback to be. Following this, a customised or tailored hearing aid is produced that works well for your specific needs and concerns.
As mentioned above, more modern hearing aids use digital signal processing, making them more flexible and able to adapt to a range of settings and circumstances.
Finding a hearing aid
Finding the right hearing aid is really about finding the right otolaryngologist (or ear doctor) who can help support you through the process and give you an effective diagnosis of your issues, as well as a solution for how to tackle them. Equally, you will need someone to help you determine how to use and insert your hearing aid so it works to its best ability.
In the UK, many opticians offer professional hearing aid tests and supply high-quality hearing devices. Look out for companies or clinics with good ratings and that are trusted by many. For example, checking their Trustpilot reviews can give you insight into their reliability and quality, as well as provide more specific details (like how long it takes to book an appointment).
So, don’t add to the number of people who live without the support they need for their hearing; do some research, book a hearing test and access a solution as soon as possible.
