People with hearing loss may benefit from using hearing aids

Hearing aids are better than ever and they come in different types and sizes that fulfil individual needs and wishes.

Many hearing-impaired people would benefit from using them, but only one out of five, who need hearing aids, actually have one. There are many types and degrees of hearing loss. This is why there are many types of hearing aids with a wide range of functions and features to address individual needs. Today, hearing aids can be programmed to automatically respond to minute changes in sounds, etc. Analogue hearing aids and digital hearing aids differ greatly. Analogue hearing aids: Analogue hearing aids amplify sound signals picked up by a microphone and convert them into small electrical signals. These signals are transmitted into the ear in real time. They can be altered according to the needs of the individual user within the limits of the analogue technology. Digital hearing aids: Today, many modern hearing aids use digital technology. These are quite different from analogue hearing aids. They transform the sound, convert it into bits, and manipulate it before amplifying the signal. This type of technology is similar to that used in a CD player. A digital hearing aid can be programmed. This means that digital hearing aids can be individually adjusted to suit the specific user by means of a small computer. The modern digital hearing aid can provide a hearing-impaired person with an improved and more pleasant sound picture. But it cannot bring back normal hearing. A digital hearing aid with advanced directional microphones will greatly help people who suffer from hearing loss, particularly in noisy surroundings. The disadvantage of digital hearing aids is that they are more expensive.