An Audiologist's Guide to the Latest Hearing Aid Technology

Hearing aid technology has witnessed tremendous advancements over the past few decades. From their humble beginnings as simple devices with four basic elements: a microphone, a processor, a receiver, and a power source, hearing aids have evolved into sophisticated, high-tech devices. 

This guide explores the latest hearing aid technology, highlighting the top features that can significantly enhance the experience of the users. Whether you're a long-term user or someone just starting their journey with hearing aids, this guide by an experienced Audiologist in St. Louis will help you understand and leverage the benefits of advanced hearing aid features.

John Scarlas: Your Experienced Audiologist in St. Louis

Before diving into the exciting world of hearing aid technology, let me introduce myself. Born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, I’m a dedicated Audiologist in St. Louis and have devoted my career to helping people communicate better with their loved ones. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University in 1995, I pursued my Master's degree in Audiology from Towson University in 1997. 

With a wealth of experience spanning various clinical settings and a major manufacturer, I’m now thrilled to be back in private practice where my patients' needs always come first. When I’m not busy helping my patients, you can find me exercising, playing golf, or cheering on my son at swim meets. I’m currently based in Ballwin with my wife, Christian, and our 14-year-old son, Austin.

Understanding Hearing Aids: The Basics

Hearing aids are specialized devices designed to help you hear the frequencies of sound that you have lost. Every hearing aid consists of at least three main components:

• Microphone: This part detects the sounds that will later be amplified.
• Processor: This is where the actual "work" of a hearing aid takes place. The software in the processor amplifies specific frequencies for the user's ears based on the sound detected by the microphone.
• Amplifier: This is the speaker where the enhanced sound is finally emitted. The speakers in most hearing aids are designed to aid in hearing while also limiting potential damage from loud noises.

Key Features of Modern Hearing Aids

Modern hearing aids offer a range of features designed to enhance the user's auditory experience. We can split these features into two categories: Basic features and Advanced features. Let's delve into each category to better understand how these features can benefit you.

Basic Features 

Wireless Hearing Aids

Wireless technology allows two hearing aids to operate together as one complete system, instead of acting as two independent devices.

Telecoil

A telecoil or Tcoil works by picking up electromagnetic signals from compatible audio sources and converting them into sound that can be directly heard by the user. This allows people with hearing aids to connect wirelessly to a variety of public speaker systems.Public facilities like airports, museums, and train stations are increasingly adopting loop systems or other assistive technologies. 

Directional Microphone Systems

Directional microphone systems are designed to boost sounds coming from the front of the wearer and reduce sounds coming from other directions.

Digital Noise Reduction

Digital noise reduction systems analyze the signal to determine if it contains unwanted noise. If this unwanted noise is detected, this system reduces the level of noise.

Wind Noise Reduction

Wind noise reduction detects the impact of wind blowing across the hearing aid microphones and avoids or reduces the amplification of it.

Feedback Management Systems

Feedback management systems combat the inevitable feedback (whistling) that occurs in a hearing aid. These feedback loops create an annoying whistling sound that can get in the way of your comfort.

Advanced Features 

These are the features that are more likely to be offered in high-end, sophisticated hearing aids. They are designed to make hearing aids more automatic and adaptable to various listening environments.

Advanced Sound Processing

All hearing aids run the sound they receive through a processor, which breaks sound down into bands of sound (sometimes referred to as "channels") and digitizes it before amplification. The more advanced the hearing aid, the more detail it can use to process sounds for your specific hearing loss prescription.

Bluetooth Compatibility

Bluetooth compatibility in hearing aids enables you to connect wirelessly with your mobile phones and other Bluetooth devices. This feature can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and eliminate feedback from the microphone, leading to a better listening experience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Some high-end hearing aids are equipped with AI, which enables them to access a deep neural network for sound processing. By logging volume control settings and program preferences for various sound environments, these hearing aids can automatically make adjustments when the environment is detected.

Smartphone Apps

Many of today's advanced hearing aids come with smartphone apps, allowing the user to make adjustments, contact their hearing care provider, and monitor battery life. Some of these apps can even convert speech into text and translate different languages.

Rechargeable Batteries

Many hearing aids now have rechargeable batteries, saving users from the hassle of constantly changing small button batteries.

Tinnitus Masking Features

Some of the most advanced hearing aids come with tinnitus masking features. These can be programmed to emit sounds that mask the tinnitus or ringing in your ears.

Waterproof Design

While most hearing aids today are water-resistant, some models are completely waterproof and can be submerged in water up to a certain depth.

Data Logging

Data logging stores data about the listening environments in which you wear your hearing aids and your preferences for programs, volume levels, and other features.

Two-Way Audio

Several manufacturers are now making hearing aids with two-way streaming audio in the microphone, making hands-free calling easier.

What Can This Technology Do For You?

These features can significantly enhance the listening experience in whatever sound environment you find yourself in. 

For instance, imagine sitting in a busy restaurant, having dinner with friends. Your hearing aids can simultaneously reduce impulse noises like silverware clanking onto a plate (impulse noise reduction), reduce the whir of the ventilation system above (digital noise reduction), suppress the voices of people at the tables behind you (directional microphone system) and store information about the listening environment to be saved for later fine-tuning (data logging). They can do all this while amplifying and shaping the speech signal from your friend.

The world of hearing aid technology is vast and continually evolving. With my guidance as an experienced audiologist in St. Louis, you can navigate this world with ease and find the hearing aid features that best suit your specific needs.