hearingaid

Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear that amplify sound for people with varying degrees of hearing loss. Most devices contain a microphone, a digital signal processor or amplifier, a receiver or loudspeaker, and a battery. Some models include a telecoil for indirect listening with compatible systems. Modern hearing aids are digital and can adjust amplification across frequencies, reduce background noise, and connect wirelessly to phones and other devices.

Styles range from behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-canal (RIC) to in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), and completely-in-canal (CIC). Hearing aids may use removable earmolds or custom-fit domes. Power sources include disposable zinc-air batteries and rechargeable built-in batteries. Features vary by model and can include directional microphones, feedback suppression, noise reduction, streaming, and program memory.

Factory fitting is typically performed by an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser after a hearing evaluation. Fitting may involve real-ear measurements to verify target amplification. Adjustment and follow-up visits help tailor the device to the user’s listening environment. Benefits vary; while hearing aids improve speech understanding and overall communication, they do not restore normal hearing and may require a period of acclimatization.

Many hearing aids are covered by health insurance or government programs, though coverage varies. Ongoing maintenance, cleaning, occasional repairs, and battery replacement are part of ownership. Access to devices and services, and the adequacy of outcomes, depend on the degree of loss, hearing history, and user effort.