Choosing the right hearing aid is an important decision. At Physicians Hearing Center, located in Dothan, our experienced audiologists are specialists who can guide you in making the best choice for the type and severity of your hearing loss.
Hearing aid technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. And while digital and analog devices serve the same basic function, they are very different. All hearing devices are designed to amplify sound and voices to help you hear better. They contain the same components; microphone, amplifier and speaker, but is where the similarities stop.
It’s important to know the differences between analog and digital hearing devices:
Analog Hearing Devices
- Analog hearing devices take sound waves and make them louder. All sounds are amplified in the same way whether it’s a noise or a voice.
- Certain analog hearing aids can be programmable. These have a microchip that allows the device to have settings to adjust to different listening environments (like a quiet restaurant or a noisy sporting event).
- As sound levels change, you can change the settings with the press of a button.
- Analog hearing aids are less costly and can be more powerful.
Digital Hearing Devices
- Digital Hearing aids have the same features as listed above but they process sound differently.
- Sounds are converted into digital format, processed and then converted back to analog for you to hear them.
- While in digital format, the signal can be tweaked, manipulated or filtered. This can be done many times in just a fraction of a second.
- Digital hearing devices can process sounds more selectively. They are able to reduce background noise or whistle reduction.
- They offer more complex programming which can help match specific hearing needs.
- Digital hearing aids have the ability to contain several program memories.
- Digital devices are more available today than analog instruments.
When considering which type of hearing aids will best suit your needs, your lifestyle and your budget, call on the ear specialists, Physicians Hearing Center in Dothan.