Current high-speed digital circuits typically have a feature size of less than 1 micron (1 millionth of a meter)*.

The Wonders of Microtechnology

Hearing aid technology has changed dramatically with the miniaturization of computer processors. Tiny digital processors are now used as the brains of digital hearing aids—responsible for sorting, processing and even prioritizing sounds from the environment to your ear. Microtechnology has given manufacturers the ability to make hearing aids smaller, more powerful, and more effective than ever.

In addition, the science of nanotechnology (the ability to engineer matter on a molecular scale) has led to new coating materials used in hearing aids to protect them from damage due to moisture and perspiration.

Digital hearing technology has made analog hearing aids obsolete; most manufacturers are phasing out analog hearing aids.

Hearing Aids Then and Now

Analog hearing aids, used exclusively until 2006, made all sounds louder. Today’s digital hearing aids are much “smarter” than analog hearing aids. Digital hearing aids can amplify meaningful sounds—such as speech—while reducing unwanted background noise.

Some digital hearing aids are so precise, they can be individually programmed to amplify certain pitch ranges according to your audiogram – or to recognize differences in consonants in speech such as “sh” in “cash” instead of “t” as in “cat.”

Specialized Features of Digital Hearing Aids

The computer processors used in digital hearing aids use complex mathematical equations to recognize types of sound inputs, process sounds (by increasing or decreasing the volume), and deliver modified sounds to the hearing aid wearer. This is called digital signal processing.

For example, when a continuous loud sound is encountered, such as the drone of a truck engine, digital signal processing “compresses” the sound waves so they are quieter. Alternately, when the hearing aid recognizes speech sounds, it increases the volume of speech.

Digital hearing aids also have the capability to automatically detect the kind of environment you enter (a quiet bookstore or a noisy restaurant) and automatically change to the appropriate setting. Overall, digital hearing aids deliver better performance than ever before.