Term of the Moment
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Definition: digital hearing aid
A hearing aid that processes sound in digital form. Starting in the early 1990s, digital hearing aids provide more accurate sound filtering by amplifying specific frequencies rather than all of them. In addition, loud noises can be suppressed. The devices are programmed in the ear in real time by the hearing aid practitioner, who obtains immediate feedback from the user.
Analog to Digital to Analog
Digital hearing aids convert analog sound to digital, process the sound in digital form and convert it back to analog for hearing. See hearables.
Digital Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Batteries
Analog to Digital to Analog
Digital hearing aids convert analog sound to digital, process the sound in digital form and convert it back to analog for hearing. See hearables.
These "completely-in-the-canal" (CIC) hearing aids from Interton Inc. are all digital. They amplify seven frequency ranges, depending on the individual's hearing loss. The prongs aid removal from the ear, and the silver button is the battery.
Zinc air batteries are commonly used for hearing aids because of their long life. Once opened, the battery continually discharges and lasts up to a week. See zinc air. (Image courtesy of Energizer Holdings, Inc.)