How Hearing Aids Work

Other Presentations: Interactive Ear

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How Hearing Aids Work

All hearing aids have basically the same parts: (1) a microphone, (2) circuit, (3) receiver, and (4) battery.

Microphone − The hearing aid microphone collect incoming sound waves and converts them to electrical impulses. Some behind-the-ear hearing aids have two microphones, which allow the hearing aid to amplify some sounds more than others.

Circuit − The hearing aid circuit receives electrical impulses from the microphone and modifies them with the prescribed amount and type of amplification. Overall loudness on some hearing aids is governed by a volume control.

Receiver − The receiver converts the amplified electrical impulses back to acoustic energy (sound waves) and delivers them into the ear canal.

Battery − A typical zinc-air hearing aid battery contains charged particles that provide power to the other components of the hearing aid. Today's hearing aid batteries are smaller, more powerful, and longer-lasting than ever before.