Just as the digital imaging of sound and pictures on CD's and DVD's is now replacing the phonograph record, audiotape, and the filmed camera for duplication of sound and pictures, we believe that hearing aids with digital processing of sound are the ultimate solution to improved sound clarity and improved word recognition. Current digital sound processors in hearing aids process at a rate of 150,000,000 times per second, continually adjusting the output of the hearing aid to the needs of the hearing aid user as programmed by the audiologist.

Programmability - Due to the wide range of hearing disorders, different acoustic characteristics are required for each hearing impaired individual. Digital processing in hearing aids and Probe Microphone Measurements of the individual's ear canal allows our audiologists to program such parameters as: power, frequency response, automatic volume control, compression attack and release time in order to more accurately fit difficult hearing losses. Our audiologists program each hearing aid based on, not only the patient's audiogram and probe microphone measurements, but also his/her everyday listening environment and ability to adjust to newly re-introduced sounds. Additionally, as hearing changes over the years (which is commonly the case) the hearing instrument can simply be reprogrammed to compensate for the patient's changing hearing loss.

Ease of Use - Although these digital processing features and programs are true technological marvels, and require extensive training and expertise on the part of the audiologist to achieve the optimum program fitting, the end result to the hearing aid user is often a hearing aid with little or no adjustment (on the part of the wearer), and a more comfortable overall sound quality in different sound environments.

This type of automation is particularly important to individuals with other physical limitations, such as poor dexterity, or poor sense of touch in their fingertips. Additionally, most hearing aid users would prefer their hearing aids not require user adjustment of a volume control because of the nuisance and conspicuousness of repeated volume adjustments of the hearing aid. Digital technology allows for automatic volume control (self-adjusting hearing aids), instantly and automatically making soft sounds louder, while making loud uncomfortable sounds softened to a point of comfort.

Noise Processing - The discomfort and interference factor of loud unwanted background noise is a common complaint of most hearing impaired individuals. Although digital hearing aids do not totally eliminate background noise (nor does the normal ear), the digital hearing aid utilizes advanced sound logic algorithms to differentiate between modulation frequencies of speech and certain competing types of background interference. The resulting reduction of background noise provides superior comfort for those difficult listening situations...this processing is performed automatically and instantly.

Multiple Microphones - Our clinics generally prefer to use digital instruments with multiple microphone technology to enhance signal-to-noise ratio. Amplifying the speech coming from in front of the patient, while reducing the noise originating from behind the patient results in much improved word understanding when in the presence of interfering noise such as in restaurants, crowds, and similar social situations.

Speech Enhancement Technology - In addition to increased amplification of various frequency ranges (which is the conventional method for improving word discrimination) a number of digital hearing aids now incorporate sophisticated algorithms and multiple channels to boost acoustic energy for the enhancement of consonant sounds, further clarifying the speech signal. For example, a person with hearing impairment in the high frequencies, often "mis-hears" many consonant sounds. Without consonant amplification, the hearing impaired person will often confuse similar words such as: "ball", "fall", and "call". This technology is designed to improve consonant perception.