Hearing Center: The Choice Between Analog and Digital

A hearing center will usually have two major types of listening aids available for those with auditory impairment. These devices will come in the category of analog and digital. Each of them has their own benefits and disadvantages, so it's instructive to do a bit of research before you decide which route to take. While a professional technician should be counted on to provide a customer with the solution that best fits his or her needs, you can never fully trust someone not to simply recommend the most expensive device you can afford. It is better to do your own research and come in armed with the information you need. Analog The first thing you're likely to notice in a medical environment that doesn't often provide insurance coverage to those looking for a listening aid is that the analog devices are much cheaper than their digital counterparts. If you are visiting a hearing center with a budget in mind, this might be your best chance to find something that fits in your price range. If this is your first aid or device, it might be a good idea to start with a less expensive model anyway. Get used to it, see what you like and don't like, and come back for a more expensive model once you have some preferences mapped out. While analog devices are perfectly capable of amplifying the sounds you hear, they aren't able to distinguish between types of sounds. This can be an important factor. For most people with auditory loss, the problem isn't wholly with the volume of the sounds you hear. That's one component, but it isn't the whole story. Another problem is the difficulty of understanding speech in the midst of background noise and distractions. Most analog devices aren't going to help you much in that department. Digital The digital listening aids are going to be considerably more expensive than their analog counterparts, by and large. Those that aren't may not be worth bothering with. The more expensive ones do come with more advanced features, however, including the ability to be programmed. This can be useful for when you know what settings are best for what situations. Some will be programmable by the owner, while others will be better left to a hearing center for professional calibration. Digital devices often have technology that will help the individual distinguish between background noise and speech. As with anything to do with auditory loss and impairment, you should always discuss all of your options with an audiologist or a trained hearing center technician before moving forward with a choice.