Hearing aids are complex electronic devices that help you communicate in countless listening situations and reconnect with the ones you love. How does a tiny device do all that? We’ll explain.
Four Key Components of Every Hearing Aid
Hearing aids work by amplifying sounds to a level you can hear with your degree of hearing loss. Each hearing aid requires four key components to perform this task.
Microphone
A microphone is required to pick up sounds from the environment and converts those sounds into electric signals.
Amplifier
The amplifier takes the electric signals and modifies them through a series of specialized filters and equalizers to increase their power and loudness.
Receiver
The receiver takes the modified electric signals and converts them back into acoustic signals that can be heard by the user.
Battery
The battery is the power source of the hearing aid. Each hearing aid style requires a specific battery type, which can last anywhere from five to 14 days depending on how complex your listening environments are. Many newer hearing aids have a rechargeable option.
Additional Hearing Aid Components
While all hearing aids require those four components, the following parts are style-dependent.
Earmold
This earmold is made from an impression taken of your ear to ensure a proper fit. The earmold helps contain sounds within the ear and is attached to the hearing aid with a tube or wire.
Vent
This hole in the custom earmold allows air to flow in and out of your ear to prevent infection and the feeling of a plugged-up ear.
Wax Guard
This small filter’s main goal is to catch earwax before it can get into the electronic components of your hearing aid. If your hearing aid has this part, your audiologist will provide you with instructions on how often it should be changed.
Telecoil
This small magnetic sensor, also called a t-coil, is available in most hearing aids. It allows you to connect your hearing aid directly to a sound source, like a telephone or public address system. This process provides you with superior sound quality because you do not have to struggle to hear over the background noise.
When you select the right hearing aid for your type and degree of hearing loss, your audiologist will go over all the components and provide you with instructions on how to take proper care of the device. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact the experts at Hearing Health Centers today.