Hearing aids are wonder instruments so tiny that it is able to fit into the ear. This is a major boon to the hearing impaired people since they need not depend on other people for communication, this simply marvelous instrument has enabled many to hear the voices of their loved ones and the sounds of the world! You might be curious how hearing aids work? So let’s look into the intricate aspects of it.

Hearing aids are made of three important parts. They are microphone, circuit, receiver, battery and an acrylic shell. The microphone as we know picks up sounds from the environment and then process it. The sensitivity and strength of the microphone depends on the manufacturer. Some hearing aids come with adjustable volume or sensitivity tuner. The sound picked up by the microphone is then transmitted to the circuit. The circuit contains special computer data that processes the sound wave and changes it into electrical signal. The electrical signal then reaches the amplifier. The amplifier increases or amplifies the electrical signal. A few sophisticated components in the circuit detect feedback and completely eliminate it. They also reduce the harsh effects in the background, remove all noise hindering the speech perception and enhance the fine tone of music. The modified electrical wave then reaches the receiver or the speaker which converts the modified sound signal into sound wave. This sound wave then reaches the depth of the ear through the ear canal. All of this happens within a fraction of a second! This is the ingenious creation of science and technology. The hearing aid is powered by a tiny battery. And the outer body is a mould or shell made of acrylic. Hearing aids are tailor designed. An audiologist makes an imprint of the patient’s ear by pouring silicon into the patient’s ear. Once the silicon hardens it is removed from the patient’s ear and sent to the hearing aid manufacturer where it is custom made. The silicon imprint is then used to make a mould which is used to cast the body of the hearing aid. The mould is then filled with acrylic and after it is ready, it is drilled with holes to fit in the components.
The hearing aid processes the sound and then sends it deep down the sound canal. The patient should have sufficient hair cells in the sound canal for the sound to be absorbed. If the sound is absorbed properly, the sound waves are converted into nerve signals and then the patient will be able to hear.

Phonak hearing aids are a very well known brand and are very reliable.