You will usually hear hearing aids being described as either analogue or digital hearing aids. They differ in terms of the way they work and also how they process sound.
Main differences;
Analogue Hearing Aids
Sounds are converted into electrical signals, which are then amplified then passed onto the earphone on the hearing aid.
Some may be programmable for different environments
Usually cheaper compared to Digital hearing aids.
Make sounds louder but may not discriminate between them
Digital Hearing Aids
Sounds are converted into digital signals (data), which are then processed by a tiny computer
Can be programmed to suit each person’s hearing loss
Suppress background noise so that speech is easier to hear and understand especially in noisy environments
Usually more expensive compared to analogue hearing aids.
Whilst digital aids may offer the latest technology, they may neither be suitable nor the solution for everyone. People must at all times compare hearing aids and find the one that best suits there hearing loss and is also comfortable to wear; as some people still prefer analogue hearing aids.
Improve Your Hearing Loss
To add on to this, research has proved that two things which have shown to also improve hearing, especially in noisy environments, more than anything else, is actually wearing hearing aids in both ears and also using hearing aids that have directional microphones. Many digital hearing aids consist of directional microphones which work well in noisy situations, as they amplify sounds that come from in front of you more than sounds to the side or behind you. Therefore a hearing aid user can focus on what they want to hear.
Can Digital Aids Reduce Whistling?
Yes. By having feedback management systems, digital hearing aids can automatically detect any feedback and attempt to reduce the whistling that tends to bother many hearing aid users.
There are a number of causes of hearing loss; with the most common cause being associated with ageing, statistics have shown that one in three adults suffer from hearing loss by the age of sixty. However other associated causes include matters such as ear infections, exposure tonoise, head or ear trauma, genetic conditions/syndromes, medications that are toxic to the auditory system and also diseases.
This leaves everyone at the risk of having hearing difficulties; and others even more, as a result of their job, perhaps. These may include war veterans (soldiers at war), road construction workers who are not fully equipped to protect their ears and arguably even dentists could suffer from hearing difficulties in the future.
There are three main types of hearing loss and a brief description of each is given below;
Conductive hearing loss
This occurs when sound is not being efficiently processed through the ear canal to the small bones of the middle ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss
This is when there is damage to the inner ear or to the auditory nerve.
Mixed hearing loss
This is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural loss and therefore affecting both the outer/middle and inner ear.
Causes of Conductive hearing loss include, impacted earwax, collection of fluid in the middle ear, middle and outer ear infections, presence of a foreign body, just to mention a few. Whilst Sensorineural hearing loss include, age-related hearing loss, exposure to a lot of noise, viral infections of the inner ear, diseases such as multiple sclerosis and furthermore.
Diagnosing hearing loss
Should you feel any symptoms of hearing loss you are advised to visit your local GP or Audiologist for a diagnosis. They will then advise you on the appropriate treatment for your hearing loss depending on its cause.
An Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser will also be able give you more information about the specific types of hearing aid and the one suitable for your hearing loss.
BTE, are by far the most common hearing aids on the market and are also commonly prescribed by the National Health Service. They have a small plastic case that fits behind the ear and are linked to the ear by a small length of tubing and ear mould. BTEs, are known to have great durability and can connect to assistive listening devices, such as classroom FM systems and can also be found in a great range of colours, to suit ones skin. BTE can be used for mild to profound hearing loss. BTE hearing aids tend to be more visible; however recent innovations in BTEs show that they can be less visible, as there are made of thin hair-like sound tubes that link to the ear. These are often less visible than In-The-Ear aids (ITEs).
In the ear aids (ITE)
These devices fit directly in the ear, therefore unlike behind the ear hearing aids; there is no link to the ear by a tube. They can be used for mild to severe hearing losses and there are custom made to fit each ones individual ear. There are quite easy to remove and insert.
Receiver In the ear aids (RITE)
These are somehow similar to BTE but however the crucial main difference is that the speaker of the hearing aid is placed inside the ear canal and thin electrical wires replace the acoustic tube of the BTE aid. The sound of the hearing aid is said to be smoother in comparison to the BTE hearing aid. Another benefit it has is that the speaker-in-the-ear hearing aid can be programmed to accommodate two distinct hearing losses, a sloping high frequency loss and a more severe hearing loss covering a wider range. For the majority of people this is one of the most cosmetically acceptable hearing device types.
Completely in the canal aids (CIC)
ICI aids are smaller and less visible as compared to the behind the ear hearing aid, making them more popular. They work very well as they are fitted close to the eardrum and can be used for mild to moderately severe losses.
Open-fit devices
“Open-fit” or “Over-the-Ear” OTE hearing aids are small behind-the-ear type devices. This type is characterized by a small plastic case behind the ear, and a very fine clear tube running into the ear canal.
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)
BAHA is an implantable hearing device used to treat hearing loss. The BAHA uses the skull as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear. It is mostly used for conductive and mixed hearing loss. BAHA is used to improve hearing in patients with chronic ear infections, congenital external auditory canal atresia or one-sided deafness who cannot benefit from regular hearing aids.
If you have a hearing impairment but still wish to speak on the phone without a hearing aid you should always make sure that you have explained to the person you are speaking to, that you have hearing difficulty and that they may need to talk slowly, clearly, louder than usual and that they may perhaps even need to repeat some of their words.
Make sure you have the phone directly in front of your ear canal and hold the phone firmly to the ear to ensure clarity, as even a small gap could make a big difference. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better.
Analogue Behind the ear hearing aids
Your hearing aid has 3 different settings “O” for Off, “M” for Microphone and “T” for Telecoil. You need to choose either “M” or “T” when you use the phone.
Using the phone with your hearing aid switched to “M”
You can use your hearing aid switched to “M” with any phone. However remember to hold your phone against the microphone to ensure clarity. Should you experience any whistling from your hearing aid, move the earpiece of the phone closer to your eyebrow until the whistling stops. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better and you may also need to adjust the volume of your hearing aid.
Using the phone with your hearing aid switched to “T”
You can only use your hearing aid switched to “T” if the phone you are using includes an inductive coupler or loop. Once your hearing aid is switched onto ‘T’, place the earpiece of the phone against the back of your hearing aid; try different places until you find one where the sound is clear and best suits you. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better and you may also need to adjust the volume of your hearing aid. This type of facility can be used for all BT payphones and some cordless phones.
Analogue “In the ear” hearing aids
If you wear an analogue “In the ear” aid, make sure that you do not place the phone earpiece flat against your ear as this may cause whistling. Instead place the phone earpiece in front or behind your ear hole until you find a position that best suits you. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better
If your aid has a “T” switch then position the edge of the phone earpiece in front or behind your ear until you find a position that best suits you. Remember this will work on phones that include an inductive coupler or loop. This applies to all BT payphones.
Digital “Behind the ear” hearing aid
If your digital hearing aid does not have a “T” setting, check with your hearing aid supplier which setting you should use. Having done that, to use it on the phone, you should place the phone earpiece against the microphone, which is located at the front of he hearing aid next to the tube. Should you experience any whistling from your hearing aid, move the earpiece of the phone closer to your eyebrow until the whistling stops. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better and you may also need to adjust the volume of your hearing aid. You can use some digital cordless and mobile phones.
If your digital hearing aid has a “T” setting and your phone includes an inductive coupler or loop, do the following, place the earpiece of the phone against the back of your hearing aid; try different places until you find one where the sound is clear and best suits you. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could be better and you may also need to adjust the volume of your hearing aid. This type of facility can be used on all BT payphones. However, mobile phones and cordless phones are not recommended.
Digital “In the ear” hearing aid
If you wear digital “In the ear” hearing aid, make sure that you do not place the phone earpiece against your ear as this may cause whistling. Instead place the phone earpiece in front or behind your ear hole until you find a position that best suits you. Use of a phone that includes a speech amplifier and volume control could make it better.
If your aid has a “T” switch, then position the edge of the phone earpiece in front or behind your ear until you find a position that best suits you. Remember this will work on phones that include an inductive coupler or loop. This applies to all BT payphones.
Using the phone hands-free
If you wear 2 hearing aids or use an older style body worn hearing aid you may find it easier to use a phone which includes hands-free facility (sometimes called “loudspeaking”). Simply switch your hearing aid to the ‘M’ setting. Make sure the loudspeaker or handsfree is on. You will then hear the other person through a microphone on the front edge of the phone and you will be able to speak back to them.
Mobile Phones
Nowadays all mobile phones are digital and you should be able to use one if you wear a digital hearing aid. You will get interference if you wear an analogue hearing aid but here are some suggestions which may help. You can purchase an inductive neck loop which works when your aid is on the “T” setting and will allow you to hold a normal conversation by keeping the phone away from your hearing aid or either send an SMS text message.
