How Do Hearing Aids Work for Hearing Loss?

Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn around or in the ear that help improve the hearing ability of individuals who experience hearing loss. A survey by AustraliaTrak revealed that 94% of those who used hearing aids found that the devices significantly improved the quality of life of users.  

Despite the resounding evidence that hearing aids can help with hearing loss, the same survey found that only 44.7% of those who said they had a hearing loss actually used hearing aids. There’s a clear gap between poor hearing health and using the right technology to improve hearing health. So, how do hearing aids work? 

How does a hearing aid work?

A hearing aid device consists of 3 main parts — an external microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker, to improve someone’s hearing ability. 

The external microphone fitted on the outside of the hearing aid device receives sounds around the wearer and transmits them to the amplifier. The amplifier receives the sound information in digital form and boosts the strength of the signal. Finally, the sound information is relayed to the speaker which produces the amplified sound in the ear of the wearer. 

How can a hearing aid work with hearing loss?

Hearing loss refers to the reduced ability to hear sounds and can develop in varying severity. Generally speaking, a hearing aid device helps with hearing loss by amplifying the sound around the wearer to a level that compensates. 

Analog hearing aid models offer this basic function and usually have volume control as the main option for users to customise their hearing experience. 

However, hearing aid technology has since advanced greatly –  digital hearing aids are now the most common type of assistive hearing device available on the market. Digital hearing aids come with a wide range of features that help with hearing loss — from connectivity with other media playing devices like Smart TVs and smartphones to directional sound amplification that adjusts the hearing experience based on where the sounds are coming from. These features greatly enhance the listening experience for those with hearing loss, providing clearer, crisper sounds that can be easily identified.

There are a few different types of hearing aids, each catering to various hearing needs and preferences:

• Invisible in the canal (IIC) 

• Completely in the canal (CIC)

• In the canal (ITC)

• In the ear (ITE)

• Receiver in canal (RIC) or open fit 

• Behind the ear (BTE)

However, not all types of hearing loss can be improved by hearing aids. Hearing aids are best suited to address hearing loss that is caused by damage to the inner ear or the sensory nerve that connects the ear to the brain. 

Tinnitus is an example of a hearing condition linked to hearing loss that can be treated with the help of hearing aids — modern hearing aid devices may come with modes that are specifically adjusted to mask ringing sounds, or provide auditory stimulation in the form of white noise to minimise the symptoms of tinnitus. Other types of hearing loss, such as those caused by issues with the eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal will tend to benefit from different types of treatment instead of hearing aids. 

Are hearing aids the same as cochlear implants?

No, hearing aids are not the same as cochlear implants — even though both can help to improve hearing. While a hearing aid is an external device that is worn in or around the ear, a cochlear implant is fixed into the area behind the ear as a permanent medical device. 

A cochlear implant does not have a speaker like a hearing aid device to produce sounds in the ear; instead, sounds are transmitted directly into the sensory listening nerves which relay the auditory information to the brain. 

Because of how complex they are, cochlear implants are usually only for individuals who suffer from moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. 

How to find the right hearing aids 

The first step to getting the right hearing aid is to undergo a professional diagnostic hearing test with an audiologist. During the hearing test, your audiologist will guide you through a series of responses to different sounds and tones, and use specialised tools to assess the state of your hearing ability. 

The results of this hearing test will then be used to determine the right choice of hearing aids for you. Not only that, but your audiologist will discuss your listening preferences and lifestyle to understand what type of hearing aid would best suit your usual activities. For example, if wearing visible hearing aids is a concern for you, your audiologist may recommend invisible in the canal (IIC) or completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids as they have a more discreet appearance. 

At Harmony Hearing, our audiologists in Perth can conduct diagnostic hearing tests to help you find the right pair of hearing aids as well as provide you with troubleshooting advice for how your hearing aids work and tips to take care of them. We also stock a full range of the latest hearing aids in Australia – we can ship purchases anywhere across Australia.