How do hearing aids work?

Updated on November 17, 2022

A splendid question! Devices made as hearing aids are small electronic devices that are commonly worn behind the ears or within the ear to assist and also improve the quality of hearing, the comprehension of speech, communicating abilities, and also just the genera; quality of life. 

All of these devices have the same key components: an amplifier, a microphone, a receiver and a battery. These things work in tandem to make sounds much louder and also a lot clearer to the user. Let’s break down these key components

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They all have 4 main components

Battery

The batteries of these devices serve as the source of power for them. These devices generally do require special batteries which happen to come in a lot of different sizes. These batteries will typically last for about 14 days. How long the battery will last will depend on a lot of different factors. These factors include how big the battery is, the specific needs of the user, the device it is attached to, the listening environment in which it is operating, etc. Nowadays, most devices meant to serve as hearing aid devices do come with batteries that are rechargeable. 

Microphone

The first major component of every hearing aid device are the microphones they come with which pick up sound signals from the surrounding environment and transform them into electrical signals.

Receiver

Another key component of hearing aids are its receiver, the speaker, as it is sometimes known as. It converts the electrical signals captured from the microphone into signals that are heard by the user. 

Amplifier

Amplifiers with the device increase the overall power or loudness of the signals received from its microphones. Specialized filters and equalizers modify sounds, to make sure only sounds relevant for the user are amplified. 

A lot of hearing aid device have these parts in common

It totally depends on the type of device you are getting but a lot of these hearing aid devices come with extra parts quite often. These extra parts are normally made in order to accommodate the specific instructions of a doctor which will be based on the individual needs of the user. 

Earmold

Earmolds are custom pieces that fit within the ear and that is attached to the device in order to compress the signal within the patient’s ear. These are made from impressions of the patient’s ears, taken by the clinician. It would be wise to consult with a professional to see if you need it or not. 

Ear Hook

Ear hooks are made out of a transparent plastic material which is linked to the device and is one which kind of goes over the upper part of the ear. 

Ear Hooks are a clear plastic attachment that connects to the device and loops over the top of the ear. The hook connects the device to the tubing. This accessory can normally be found in devices which are Behind-the-ear devices. 

Wax Guard 

Wax Guards are a small filter that catches any earwax that the wearer may have and hence stopping it from entering into the different components of the device. Ask your hearing healthcare provider if you have questions about how often to replace your wax guard.

Vent

Vents are holes that go through the particular hearing aid device or the earmold. Vents allow for air to flow in and out of the ear in order to stop any infection and the feeling of having your ears plugged up. 

Volume Control 

Volume control allows the user to adjust the loudness settings. This feature is not featured on all types of hearing aid devices and, in fact, mimgt not be good for all users. A lot of devices these days offer control over volume through the means of an app. 

Memory Control 

This gives the user control different memories that will have been programmed beforehand into the devices for a whole host of environments. This feature is also not available on all types of devices and may not be desirable for everyone. It is important to point out that a lot of these devices can now be controlled through the means of an app or a wireless accessory.

A hearing aid specialist will ensure that you get the right hearing aid for your needs

Remember, the key to getting proper satisfaction with your device is not just which device you get, but it also matters how you are working with a specialist you trust and who will help you choose and fit the right device for your unique needs.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.