What is a Hearing Instrument?

At the most basic level, a hearing instrument is a miniature sound amplifier. It receives sounds through a microphone, converts them to electrical impulses, amplifies the impulses, and converts them back into sound.

Different kinds of hearing losses

But if a hearing instrument were to do only that, it would be of very limited use. It would simply amplify all incoming sounds equally. This would be ineffective, because all hearing losses are different. Some people lose hearing in the high frequencies, some in the middle or low frequencies - hearing loss patterns are as unique as thumbprints. People with hearing loss also have widely varying comfort levels when it comes to the loudness of various sounds.
That's why a hearing instrument must be highly selective in how it amplifies sound for its user.

Digitally programmable instruments

Today, the most advanced hearing instruments use digital technology. Hearing test results are fed into a computer, and the hearing care professional uses the computer to adjust the hearing instrument for the user's particular needs. These hearing instruments are called "digitally programmable."

Fully digital instruments

Even more advanced are the new generations of instruments called "fully digital" or simply "digital." Not only are these instruments fine-tuned by a computer, they actually contain a computer - a tiny microprocessor with enormous processing power.
Digital hearing instruments convert sounds into digital code, manipulate the code according to the user's needs, and re-convert it into sound. Not only does this provide "CD" sound quality, it also opens the door to sound processing capabilities that were impossible before.

Audiotone hearing aid center