While sailors may delight in the prospect of taking to the ocean on a windy day, those wearing hearing instruments often find that the wind poses a challenge to hearing that must be overcome. According to one survey, hearing-instrument users listed wind noise as their “second worst listening situation.” This problem results from the creation of turbulence as wind moves past the instrument’s microphone. In response to this adverse listening condition, today’s digital instruments are outfitted with “Wind Noise Attenuation Systems” that automatically detect wind noise and try to suppress it. Tested in wind tunnels, these systems work to improve the perception of vowels and consonants to a degree that users are easily able to comprehend conversation in windy conditions.
Just as trifocals were designed to correct vision for different activities like reading and driving, some hearing instruments are designed to correct hearing in various social situations. Put the many available products for the hearing impaired to good work for you. At BETTER HEARING CENTER, we’ll help you choose from among the variety of designs of hearing instruments to find the one that best suits your needs. Start by calling for an appointment for a comprehensive hearing test at New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Current wind noise reduction systems can cope with unpredictable changes in wind direction and force by analyzing data 500 times per second.