Hearing aid features and benefits
Hearing aid features and benefits
Specsavers hearing aids are designed with specific features to benefit wearers in all aspects of life. Learn about some of the innovative technology included in our range of hearing aids.
Hearing aid microphones
Directional microphones
A hearing aid with a directional microphone has two microphones - one that focuses forward and one that focuses backwards.
Directional microphones allow you to target the direction of hearing, as you require, from hearing all-round sound to being more focused on a single person or object. So if you’re having a conversation, this type of microphone will reduce sound amplification from the back and give more focus to the sounds from the front.
Automatic directional microphones
Automatic directional microphones select their mode of operation according to the listening environment. In a quiet situation they’ll operate in directional mode and adaptive directional mode, if available.
Adaptive directional microphones
This microphone can detect the location of the strongest noise source and adapt its pick-up to minimise it. If the noise source moves, like a motorbike on the road, then the microphone system adapts to keep that noise reduced.
Hearing aid noise reduction
Noise reduction
This reduces the amplification of non-speech sounds, making it more comfortable in noisy conditions by automatically sensing and then reducing the background noise. For example, in traffic noise in the street, busy pub or restaurant.
So you can better concentrate, or enjoy conversations in busy places without the distraction of background noise.
Wind noise reduction
Wind noise reduction is an electronic system that reduces the bothersome sound of wind whistling over the microphones. The hearing aid detects windy conditions and adopts the hearing aid automatically for maximum comfort – particularly useful for outdoor activities, like golf or walking.
Transient noise reduction
This feature identifies and reduces annoying sounds like rustling paper, breaking glasses and clanging dishes without affecting speech clarity. It’s also known as ‘sound-smoothing’ and ‘anti-shock’.
Hearing aid feedback
Feedback cancellation
Feedback is when your hearing aids makes a whistling noise. This can be caused by poor fitting, excessive or impacted earwax, or if you place anything over your ear (like a hand or hat). Feedback cancellation takes the feedback frequencies, reverses the phase of the feedback signal and combines this with the original, which cancels any annoying feedback sounds you may experience.
Adaptive feedback cancellation
Similar to the ‘feedback cancellation’ feature but is able to automatically adapt its speed of operation to improve performance according to different environments – like when you use the phone, listen to music, or hear alarm beeps.
General hearing aid features
Audible indicator
An audible indicator is a tone (usually a beep) that lets you know which programme is currently being used, that the volume has changed, and when the battery is low. So you don’t need to worry about checking.
Automatic programmes
Automatic programmes identify your listening environment and automatically selects the optimum instrument settings. So you’ll get the best settings for your listening situation, without having to think about it or push a button.
Binaural synchronisation
Also called e2e or ear-to-ear wireless. Both of your hearing aids are synchronised to make a single hearing system for both ears.
This means that listening programmes, volume control setting, noise management and directional microphones are always properly balanced in both hearing aids so you’re able to localise sound better.
Compression channels
Unlike frequency channels (designed to amplify certain frequencies), compression channels are divided into a number of channels that restricts the range of sounds that you’re exposed to.
A hearing professional will be able to programme your hearing aid to reduce the range of loud noises that you would normally be unable to tolerate. This is particularly useful for first-time hearing aid wearers who are used to a certain level of volume.
Data logging
This records hearing aid data such as: hours of use, types of listening environments encountered, which listening programmes are used, and the volume control position. This information helps your hearing aid professional to fine-tune or reprogramme your hearing aid to your specific requirements.
Frequency bands
The total hearing aid frequency range is divided into a number of bands in which the amplifier gain can be controlled to match your hearing loss, like a graphic equaliser on a music system. It allows the hearing professional to tune your hearing aid to pick up the range of sounds that you need to hear more clearly.
The more frequency bands that your hearing aid has, the finer the tuning can be to match the range of sounds you need to help with your hearing. So you end up with crisper, clearer hearing.
Listening programmes
Your hearing professional will be able to pre-set a number of programmes depending on certain listening conditions. For example, you might need particular settings for speech in quiet, noise, TV and music.
All you need to do is press a button or switch on your hearing aid or with a remote control, and you’ll be ready to get the best out of different listening situations.
Music equaliser
A personalised music setting that allows the wearer to enjoy listening to music naturally.
Speech enhancement
Speech has different sound patterns to background noise. On an audiogram, speech is ‘wavy’ and background noise is ‘jagged’. This feature allows the hearing aid to pick out the ‘wavy’ frequencies over the ‘jagged’ frequencies. It analyses sound signals and, where most noisy, reduces background noise to maximise speech – great if you’re on a crowded street or in a busy restaurant.