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Conventional hearing aids Conventional hearing aids are the most basic type of hearing instruments. A conventional (or traditional) hearing aid is different from a programmable analog aid because the sound of the instrument is not easily adjusted by a computer program. A conventional aid is different from a digital aid because it has an analog circuit that cannot react as quickly and precisely as the computer chip in a digital instrument. While not computer
programmable, conventional hearing aids are equipped with some features
that allow a hearing professional or audiologist to make limited adjustments
based on your needs.
Conventional hearing aids - introduction When ordering a conventional hearing aid, the professional selects a hearing aid response that best matches the patient's hearing loss at that time. Adjustments can be made to this response by increasing or decreasing the volume manually. If sounds are soft, the patient "turns up" the volume control. If sounds are loud, the patient "turns down" the volume control. If a person needs minor changes to the sound of the hearing aid, limited adjustments can be made by the hearing health care profession. If major changes are needed; or if the patient's hearing loss changes, the hearing aid must be sent back to the manufacturer so that the response can be altered. This usually involves a charge from the manufacturer.
How conventional hearing aids work Conventional hearing aids have a microphone that gathers sound, an amplifier that increases the volume of sound and a receiver that transmits this amplified sound to your ear. These instruments have a manual volume control for the user. They usually have screw-set controls mounted onto the hearing aids for the hearing health care professional to adjust. These controls handle the amplification (i.e., general loudness) and frequency/tonality response (i.e., amount of bass, mid-range or treble emphasis), and are adjusted with a jeweler's screwdriver by your audiologist or dispenser.
Selecting a conventional hearing aid There are several factors to think about when selecting a conventional hearing aid, but only your audiologist can help you select a conventional hearing aid best suited for you. Your audiologist considers:
Costs of conventional hearing aids Conventional hearing aids are a good choice when finances are the most important concern. They range from $395 to $900, depending on the manufacturer, warranty and options.
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