From a crowded restaurant to a busy sidewalk, you can confront overwhelming amounts of noise almost anywhere. For the hearing aid users, the problem of background noise can be immense. It’s a big challenge to differentiate one sound from the background noise. Digital noise reduction technology embedded inside hearing aids is one approach to combating this problem. It allows the wearer to block unwanted noise and focus on specific sounds.

Conversational speech and meaningless noise follow different sound patterns, which digital noise reduction technology is able to pick up on. If a person is talking to you in a quiet room, the device knows that the signals it is picking up are speech signals. However, when conversing in a noisy environment, your digital noise reduction equipped hearing aid can tell that there is unwanted sound present. If the device picks up on noise that may impact your ability to hear someone speaking, it automatically turns down the volume in the noisier channels.

Don’t expect that all background noise will be eliminated. No hearing aid can do that. However, the digital noise reduction feature does help improve communications quite a lot in noisy areas. Compared to hearing aids that don’t have noise reduction technology embedded, user report better speech sounds and improved comprehension.

Digital noise reduction devices are most effective at eliminating background noise that stays at a constant level. This means that steady sounds such as an air conditioner or engine running are more effectively blocked than dynamic music or a nearby conversation.

To give your digital noise reduction capable hearing aid the best chance at succeeding, use common sense measures in conjunction with technology. For example, if you find yourself in a noisy part of a restaurant, ask to be seated somewhere that isn’t quite as hectic.

While no hearing aid technology can give you perfect hearing, digital noise reduction can take much of the annoyance out of dealing with noisy situations.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.