How Hearing Aids Work?
What is a hearing aid?
Hearing aids are modern, small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear, designed to assist individuals experiencing hearing loss in leading fulfilling lives. Unlike the bulky and unattractive models of the past, today’s hearing aids are digital, and discreet, and offer advanced features controlled via technology like mobile apps. For instance, our Jabra Enhance Select smartphone app exemplifies this user-friendly technological advancement, providing greater convenience and customization for users.
What are Over the Counter Hearing Aids?
In October 2022, the FDA introduced a new category of “over-the-counter” (OTC) hearing aids, allowing these devices to be sold directly to consumers without the mandatory involvement of a licensed professional. This move marks a significant step towards making hearing aids more accessible and readily available to the general public.
It’s crucial to note that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are specifically designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. The reasons behind this limitation will be discussed further. To determine if you fall within this category, there are several basic factors outlined by the FDA that can help assess your hearing level.
Hearing Aids and PSAPs: IS there a difference?
According to the World Health Organization, it’s projected that by 2050, approximately 700 million people globally will require rehabilitation for hearing loss. Given this forecast, the recent regulatory changes in the United States facilitating increased accessibility and availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are timely. As a result, consumers are now more curious than ever about the differences among various devices available on the market.
Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) are accessible for purchase online and in numerous retail outlets. They are generally intended for individuals with normal hearing to amplify sounds in specific listening environments. Often used recreationally for activities such as hunting or birdwatching, PSAPs are classified by the US government as consumer electronics rather than medical devices. Consequently, the quality of these products varies more compared to hearing aids, which are regulated by the FDA.
In contrast to amplifiers, hearing aids are meticulously crafted for individuals with hearing impairment, amplifying frequencies tailored to each person’s unique hearing loss. They excel at diminishing unwanted background noise while prioritizing speech, enhancing your ability to hear clearly in challenging environments such as bustling restaurants and outdoor settings. At Jabra Enhance, we provide authentic Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, offering the same caliber of technology as those obtained from traditional hearing clinics.
How does a hearing aid work?
Regardless of their modernity, hearing aids consist of four fundamental components – a microphone, a processor, a receiver/speaker, and an amplifier. All these elements collaborate to analyze and enhance particular sounds to improve your auditory experience. Initially, the microphone captures incoming sounds, which are subsequently digitally processed and converted into electronic signals by the processor. These signals are then tailored and amplified (if customized to your specific requirements) before being transmitted to your ear through the receiver/speaker.
The most significant and impactful advancement in hearing aid technology over the last decade has been their digitization. This transformation has made them more user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and of higher quality. Digitization has enabled hearing aids to connect seamlessly with smartphones through Bluetooth technology, granting users the convenience of adjusting their hearing devices in real time directly from their phones.
How do digital hearing aids differ?
In recent decades, there has been a significant transition from analog to digital hearing aids. Unlike the devices you may recall from previous generations, nearly all modern hearing aids leverage digital technology. This transition enhances the overall sound quality and functionality of the hearing aid, providing consumers with more user-friendly benefits.
This code captures vital details about sounds, including pitch, volume, and direction. Utilizing this information and sophisticated algorithms, the small chip within a digital hearing aid can identify unwanted noise, minimize feedback (such as a high-pitched squeal), mitigate discomfort from loud sounds, and tailor the amplification of frequencies before transmitting them to your ear. It’s quite remarkable how much functionality is packed into such a compact device!
