Exactly What Are “Multiple Listening Programs” on Digital Hearing Aids?

Listening to a person speaking in a hushed room is very different from attempting to hear a conversation in a packed diner. Many digital hearing aids are equipped with various listening programs to help adjust to changes in listening environments. These listening programs give your hearing aid the flexibility to help you hear at your best in a wide range of situations.

When you first receive your hearing aid, your hearing professional will program your device with an external computer. The software will give him or her the ability to “fine-tune” the way your hearing aid processes sound and to create a series of distinct listening programs for different scenarios. Once you begin using your hearing aid, these programs may be selected manually or automatically (depending on the your particular device and its configuration) to suit your listening environment.

There are many different types of listening programs that can be accessed through your hearing aid. There are programs that help block out distracting background noise, programs that reduce feedback, programs that can shift high frequency sounds into lower, more comfortable frequencies, and programs that can make speech patterns clearer in quiet environments. These are just a few of the programs you can take advantage of – talk to your hearing professional to find programs that are most relevant to your situation.

The method you use to access these different programs varies from device to device. Some hearing aids are sold with a small external controller that allows you to switch from program to program as well as access other features. Other devices may be controlled by a small switch, while still others may automatically determine which program is best suited for your situation.

Young children with hearing issues may be good candidates for hearing aids with multiple listening programs. Having a number of available programs allows parents to quickly find a setting that is most comfortable for their child. This can help audiologists determine what settings will lead to the best hearing experience for the child.

The multiple listening programs feature in hearing aids can play a significant role in allowing the hearer to enjoy a more natural listening experience.