Many options are available on both digital and analog hearing aids to improve comfort in a variety of listening environments. The more sophisticated digital models will offer many of these features as standard equipment.
Directional Microphones: The hearing aid will have two microphones or two microphone ports to allow a decrease in the sounds coming form the back. This is the single best feature to improve hearing in a crowd. It is highly recommended for active people who find themselves in restaurants, meetings and groups. The directional microphone may be “fixed” so it remains on all the time, or there may be a switch to allow the user to activate it as needed. The directional microphones are most effective on BTE and ITE hearing aids, with slightly less improvement in noise on the ITC style.
Volume Control: Most digital hearing aids do not require a manual adjustment of volume. However some previous users of hearing aids prefer to maintain some control over the volume. Additionally, a volume control maybe desired for a fluctuating hearing loss or for some challenging listening environments.
TELECOIL: A “T” coil or telecoil allows the telephone to be used without backgound noise or feedback. When switched on, the telecoil mutes the hearing aid microphone and picks up sound from the phone electromagnetically. The phone must be hearing aid compatible to work with a T-coil. The t-coil also allows the patient access to assistive listening devices used on TVs, in auditoriums and some theatres.
Noise Control: Some digital hearing aids have circuitry that monitor and reduce continuous none-speech noise. This reduces the sound of road noise in the car, and fan or refrigerator noise at home. Reducing noise increases comfort and reduces listening fatigue.
Feedback: Digital hearing aids may have an automatic feedback manager to reduce the squeal that some hearing aids make when they are touched or turned up too high.
Memories: Sometimes called “programs”, allow the hearing aid to hold 2,3 or 4 different listening settings for different listening needs. This is similar to bifocal glasses that allow one “prescription” for up close and a different “prescription” for distance. Using a switch or button, you may select a louder program for TV and a softer program with noise reduction to use in a restaurant. Multiple memories are appropriate for someone acitive with a variety of listening environments.
