How do the hearing instrument work?
A hearing instrument is a technical aid consisting of a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker.
Today modern hearing instruments is a complex piece of technology, but the basic functions is simple as follows:
- A microphone in the instruments receives the sound waves which enters it and converts them into electrical signals
- The amplifier increases the strength of the electrical signal
- From the amplifier the signal is channelled into the speaker (often called a ‘receiver’ in hearing aids). This speaker converts the electrical signals into sound waves which are then send the ear canal, either through a small tube or through an earmold
- A battery is required to power the hearing instrument and enable the amplification process to take place
Some hearing instruments come with a user control, which enables the user to adjust the hearing aid parameters, which include:
- On/off switch
- Volume
- Switching to telecoil
- Switching to omni- and directional-microphone settings
- Switching to a different pre-programmed memory settings to enhance hearing