Hearing Aids and how they work
HEARING AIDS AND HOW THEY WORK A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies and changes sound to allow for improved communication. ... While there are many styles and circuit differences, all hearing aids consist of a microphone that changes sound waves into electrical impulses; an amplifier that increases the strength of the electrical impulse; a receiver (loudspeaker) that translates the now-strengthened electrical impulses back into sound waves; and a battery to provide the energy to operate the hearing aid. All parts of the hearing aid work together to amplify sound. ... Hearing aids are powered by batteries and feature: „« Internal controls which are set by the audiologist . These controls determine which frequencies are amplified and the loudest sound the hearing aid can make. „« External controls which are set by the hearing aid user. ... On some hearing aids the volume control is combined with the on/off switch. „« A Telecoil switch which allows the hearing aid to be used with a telephone and some assistive listening devices. ... Hearing depends on the following series of events that change sound waves in the air into electrical impulses that the auditory (hearing) nerve carries to the brain.