Difference between Analog and Digital Hearing Aids

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Now, there are two main types of technologies that we see in hearing aids – analog and digital. The main difference between the two is the type of technology and the advancement of technology that is used. Analog hearing aids were the first hearing aids that were introduced, they included a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker. This type of hearing aid would simply absorb the sound from the microphone, amplify it and then play it through the speaker. These were the main type of hearing aids you would get a few years back, but today these are going out of fashion for more advance hearing aids. While they are still widely available, doctors now recommend digital hearing aids because of the benefits that it provides.

Digital hearing aids include a special Digital Signal Processor, or a DSP, which takes in noise and cleans it up. It also automatically manipulates the noise and sound according to the environment before it plays it through the speaker. More advanced chips can also change the output based on the different environment automatically, so if the person walks outside from a closed and quiet space, the aids would automatically adjust the volume on the aid. These are growing in popularity because it makes the individual a bit more hands-free and less dependent having to constantly change the settings on the hearing aid. More high-end digital hearing aids offer even more different features, which users can choose to add on if they wish.

So, depending on your needs and want, a person can opt for either analog or digital hearing aids. Analogs are easier to understand and set up, making it ideal for people who are less tech savvy, while digital hearing aids offer more freedom and can directly be integrated into people’s lives. The end goal of both is the same, helping people with hearing impairments hear better.

Comparison between Analog and Digital Hearing Aids:

	Analog Hearing Aids	Digital Hearing Aids
Definition	Analog hearing aids do the basic task of taking a sound and amplifying it into the speaker that is placed in the ear	Digital hearing aids take the process a step further by taking the sound, cleaning it up for background noise and then amplifying it through the speaker
How it works	These types of hearing aids use a simple microphone and speaker system. It picks up the sound, amplifies it and then plays it through the speaker	These type of hearing aids use a bit more complicated system, where the noise is picked up and processed through a digital signal processor or a DSP that manipulates the sound and provides a higher quality output
Benefits	Cheaper Longer Battery Life Easier to Set Up Easier to Operate	Smaller and lighter compared to analog Reduced white noise and feedback Adaptable Multiple listening modes for different environments Provides a better sound quality
Usability	Is slowly becoming obsolete as newer technology is introduced	Is newer and is now more commonly recommended by doctors

Reference: FDA, Audio Recovery, Audicus Image Courtesy: floridamedicalhearing.com, hearingreviews.com

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