Hearing Aid Features

In addition to selecting the most appropriate style of hearing aid, it is also important to consider the following special features that are designed to improve your ability to hear in challenging listening situations and to enhance the functionality of your hearing aid.

Directional Microphones
Do you have difficulty hearing in a background of noise?  This is a common problem, particularly among individuals with hearing loss.  The standard hearing aid is equipped with at least one microphone.  This omni-directional microphone picks up sounds in all directions: the front, the back, and to the side of the individual wearing the hearing aid.  In a background of noise, it is assumed that the listener will face the sound source they would most like to hear.  Therefore, a directional microphone system is designed to help the listener hear sounds better from the front, and reduce the background noise coming from the sides and from behind.

FM Systems
Integrated FM systems are another solution for better hearing in a background of noise.  FM systems are also helpful in meetings, classrooms, or lectures where the person speaking is some distance away from the listener.  This wireless system includes a transmitter that is placed near or even worn by the person who is speaking, and a receiver that connects to the hearing aid.

Telecoil
The telecoil is designed to pick up the electromagnetic signal from the loudspeaker in the handsets of telephones.  This allows the hearing aid wearer to hear the telephone without feedback or whistling.  Telecoils can be built into behind-the-ear and most in-the-ear hearings aids and can be actived by the hearing aid user by pushing a button.  Some hearing aids can activate this feature automatically when the user places the telephone handset up to the hearing aid.

Volume Control Wheel
Although most modern hearing aids have the ability to make automatic volume adjustments, some individuals prefer to have the option to increase or decrease the loudness in certain listening situations.  A volume control allows the user to more precisely adjust the sound level from the hearing aid and may improve audibility and comfort.

Program Switch
Some hearing aids have a program switch or button that allows the wearer to manually select a customized listening program for specific listening situations. Although many hearing aids have the capability to automatically adjust to different acoustic environments, some individuals prefer to manually select from two or more listening programs.

Remote Control
Most hearing aid manufacturers offer remote controls that allow the user to stream from Bluetooth devices, increase or decrease the hearing aid volume, change listening programs, or activate telecoils and FM systems.  Remote controls come in a variety of sizes and styles.  Some remote controls can transmit sounds wirelessly from the television into the hearing aids allowing for a personal "surround sound" system.