Latest Hearing Aid Technology

The Digital Edge

At Hearing and Balance Centers of West Tennessee, we offer the latest hearing aids to residents of the Memphis area. But we can’t help you hear better if you don’t come see us. Sadly, some people who need hearing aids refuse to wear them or even seek treatment. We know what you’re thinking: “Why would anyone not want to hear better?”

We understand the question, but we also know that a lot of people’s views about hearing aids haven’t caught up with the latest technology. In fact, many people still think of out-dated models prone to feedback. But the good news is that the field of audiology has progressed, and hearing aid technology has evolved. Digital hearing aids are nothing like the kind your grandpa used to wear. Digital technology has addressed most of the issues prevalent in older models.We’ve all heard the horror stories about hearing aids and annoying high-pitched feedback. If worries of feedback are holding you back from purchasing hearing aids, we’ve got great news. Newer hearing aids use digital technology to detect sounds escaping from the ear canal. Then, the hearing aid cancels those sounds out before they are able to be re-amplified, eliminating the possibility of feedback.

When you come to our Memphis office, we’ll help you find the digital features that work best for you, including:

Digital Feedback Reduction

We’ve all heard the horror stories about hearing aids and that most awful of sounds: feedback (high-pitched squealing). The word itself brings up thoughts of squealing speaker systems, but don’t let feedback keep you from using a hearing aid. Newer hearing aids, utilizing digital technology, are able to detect sounds escaping from the ear canal. Then, the hearing aid cancels those sounds out before they are able to be re-amplified, eliminating the possibility of feedback.

Digital Noise Reduction

This feature helps in loud environments – such as when you’re in heavy traffic or amidst a large group of people. The digital noise reduction feature in your hearing aid can lessen the annoyance of unwanted sounds and improve your ability to hear speech.

Directional Microphones

Older Hearing aids amplified sounds from all directions equally, but directional microphones have changed that. This technology amplifies sounds coming from in front of the user more than sounds from behind or the sides. This means that the person or sound you are facing is will be amplified more than other sounds around you.

Connectivity

Bluetooth technology allows hearing aid users to listen hands-free to their cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices through the clarity of their hearing aid.

Gain Processesing

Gain Processing in your hearing aids helps you hear sounds more clearly while reducing discomfort that can result from high-intensity sounds.

Digital Speech Enhancement

This feature of digital hearing aids helps you hear certain segments of speech more clearly by increasing their intensity. The feature is relatively new and not much is known about its effectiveness.

Signal Generation

Your hearing aids could help your audiologist tune them by emitting sounds used for loudness growth and threshold testing. This feature may help better fit hearing aids to your hearing loss as it changes.

Hearing aids continue to evolve to better fit the needs of users. If it’s been a few decades since you’ve gotten an up-close look at a hearing aid, you’re in for a shock! Come see us at our Memphis, Tennessee office and we’ll show you what the new generation of digital hearing aids can do.