How does a hearing aid function?
A hearing aid is not simply an amplifier of sound; it is a sophisticated communication device that helps you to hear as efficiently as possible when you suffer from hearing loss.
We work with hearing aids from worldwide recognized leader brands, in the case of spectacle hearing aids, the specialists are BHM and Bruckhoff.
Types of hearing aids
Retro: behind the ear
The retro hearing aids or retro auricular are placed behind the ear and have a tube Connected to a tailored mould, which is inside the ear and carries the sounds. These are the best hearing aids when the hearing loss is deep or moderate.
They are available in several colours so they can perfectly adapt to the skin or hair tone. They stand out to be very easy to use, their easy maintenance and battery life.
RIC: behind the ear
Hearing aids RIC or RITE are a mix between retro and intra hearing aids, taking the best of the advantaged of these two types of adaptations. They have the shape of a small retro, a thin tube, a small mould where the headset is placed. So the sound transmission goes directly to the ear canal, providing a great sound quality, but allowing the power of the retro hearing aids for major or moderate audition loss.
They are available in several colours so they can perfectly adapt to the skin or hair tone.
Intra: inside the ear
The intra hearing aids or intra auricular are the smallest hearing aids placed inside the ear canal, so they must be manufactured tailored to each person’s ear. Because they are inside the ear canal they are very discreet, they can barely be seen. They are perfect for light or moderate hear loss.
Open adaptation "open fit"
During the last years Retros have evolved into smaller designs, very thin almost invisible tubes, and a small mould inside the ear, and they are used for moderate or low hearing loss. These models are called “open fit” or open adaptation.
They provide comfort, discretion, and great reliability (they don’t give off feedback, no feeling of occlusion, no problems with earwax, etc.).
In some cases, they can even be taken away at the moment because they also work with a standard size mould.
They are available in several colours, so they can perfectly adapt to the skin or hair tone.
The way a hearing aid works step by step
- The microphones collect the sound.
- The microchip analyses the sounds.
- When the sound has been processed, it is sent to the amplifier.
- The amplified sound is sent to the speaker.
- The speaker transmits the sound into the inner ear.
- In the inner ear the sounds are converted into electrical impulses.
- The brain receives these impulses and processes them.
Parts of a hearing aid
All hearing aids consist of 5 basic components: microphone (sound receptor), amplifier, speaker (sound transmitter), battery and microchip –that is programmed according to the audioprosthetic needs-. Depending on the type of hearing aid, there could be a difference between the sound that is received and the one that is understood. The better the quality of the hearing aid is, the more natural the sound will be. There are many factors to take into account such as the characteristics of the bandwidth, the automatic regulation of the volume, the processing of the noise and the elimination of interferences and disturbing sounds. The most advanced hearing aids also offer a wide range of customisation options, they are wireless and can be connected to different devices such as mobile phones.
