What are Hearing Aids?
 

Hearing aids are miniature electronic devices that amplify speech and environmental sounds. They can be worn over the top of the ear, in the bowl of the ear, or in the ear canal itself. Hearing aids are now digitally programmable to shape sound to the wearer's listening needs and hearing loss. For most people two hearing aids are worn to give the best advantage in background noise, superior understanding in quiet, a balanced feeling between the ears, and the ability to localize sound for safety and communication. Today's hearing aids typically have directional microphones that not only deliver surrounding sounds to the amplifying stage of the aids, but also help to reduce interfering background noise to the listener.

For people who want additional help or want situational amplification for specific needs where listening is especially challenging, there are devices which can be used alone or with hearing aids. These include TV listeners and phone aids; FM systems for use in cars, classrooms, meetings, and lecture halls; as well as alerting devices for the doorbell, fire alarm, or a crying baby.