One of the most helpful features in hearing instruments involves the use of “directional microphones”, which effectively improve speech understanding amid background noise. In their simplest sense, these microphones amplify sounds directly in front of the user more than the sounds coming from the back and sides of the user. Hearing instruments with this feature have two or more microphones separated by a specific distance, which enables them to detect the difference in the arrival time of sound to each of these microphones. The instrument then uses this information to respond to the sounds. For instance, the least sensitive portion (“null”) of the microphone response will be directed toward the area of the most noise, thereby reducing background sound.
All hearing aids contain one or more microphones to pick up sound, a processor that amplifies and processes sound, a receiver or speaker that sends the signal into your ear, and a battery for a power source. BETTER HEARING CENTER offers a full range of hearing instruments and assistive devices and continues the tradition of better hearing through education, technology, and customer service. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Hearing instruments with “fully adaptive directional microphones” continuously map the type and location of sound in the user’s surrounding environment and direct the microphones’ “null” accordingly to blunt background noise.
