Analog hearing aids have existed for many decades. Digital hearing aids became available in 1987, but according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the first models were not popular due to large size and problems with battery life. Within 10 years, the technology had improved and they grew in popularity.
Technology Differences
Analog hearing aids convert sound waves into electrical signals, while digital hearing aids convert sound waves into numerical codes, much like computer code. Both amplify the signals or codes, but digital aids are more flexible in what they can do.
Analog Hearing Aids
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, there are two basic types of analog hearing aids: adjustable and programmable. The manufacturer programs adjustable aids according to what your audiologist determines is right for you. Programmable aids have more than one program. The audiologist can program them with different settings for different environments and the wearers can change settings as needed.
Digital Hearing Aids
The numerical codes of digital hearing aids include details about loudness and pitch. This allows the audiologist to program them to amplify some frequencies more than others and to focus on sounds coming from a certain direction. Digital hearing aids are also better able to reduce or eliminate feedback caused by jaw movement or by being too close to objects, says the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Styles
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders describes the basic hearing aid styles as behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and canal. Behind-the-ear aids have a hard plastic case worn behind the ear that contains the electronics. The case is attached to either a plastic earmold or a narrow tube that goes in the outer ear. In-the-ear aids consist of a hard plastic case containing the electronics that fits entirely inside the outer ear. Canal aids are the smallest, and fit into the ear canal.
The styles are available for either analog or digital aids. However, analog hearing aids are being replaced by digital due to their better performance.
Cost
Hearing aids are expensive, costing as much as several thousand dollars for a pair. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, most insurance companies and Medicare do not cover hearing aids. In some cases, they may pay for diagnostic procedures to evaluate hearing loss. Contact the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse to find out about nonprofit organizations that may help with financial assistance. A link is in the Resources section.
