The Benefits of Digital Hearing Aids

January 31, 2018

We’ve seen a robust growth in digital technology over the past decades. And while a lot of industries have gained a benefit or 2 from this shift, the hearing segment is not one to lag behind. In 1996, the first fully digital hearing aid model was introduced to the public. And in mid 2000s, it was already comprising more than half of the hearing aid market.

The use of hearing aids are not merely to amplify sounds anymore. Technology has made it possible to improve the device even more in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Here in this article, we’re taking you through each of the features one by one in order to help you understand the difference between analog and digital hearing aid better.

1. Highly Programmable

Digital hearing aids are programmable to the wearer’s needs. An audiologist can adjust the device’s settings to suit to your hearing situation so that it functions the way you need it to. For example is the sound processing, which can be tuned to your everyday environment such as home, parties, theatres, etc.

2. More Accurate Sound

One of the most important benefits of digital hearing aid is its improved ability to distinguish what a real sound is. Through this, unwanted background noises are reduced, making voices more perceivable especially when user is present in a noisy environment.

3. Directionality

One of the biggest advancement in the digital hearing aid technology is its directionality feature. Directional systems contain a minimum of 2 microphones. This allows the hearing aid to focus on specific sounds depending on the direction and arrival time to the microphones. With the help of this feature, the device is able concentrate on amplifying the sounds in front of the wearer, rather than the voices around him.

4. Reduced Feedback

The reason why most people are reluctant to wear the device is because of the negative stigma brought about by feedbacks — the annoying, whistling sound produced by hearing aids. Digital technology allows innovators to manage these squeaking sounds by anticipating and reducing them at once.

5. Smaller Design

Another reason why people, especially the younger ones, are hesitant to get a hearing test and admit that they need a hearing aid, is because of aesthetic reasons. Hearing aids used to be so bulky. But with the birth of microchip, it has been made possible to create smaller and sleeker ones. There are even hidden hearing aids available out there that are almost invisible to the eye.

6. Bluetooth Connectivity

Smartphone-ready hearing aids are now a thing. This means the device can be used in conjunction with bluetooth-enabled devices such as mobile phones, iPad, or laptop in order to make calls and listen to music or audiobooks.

True enough, the continuous evolution of the digital world have highly benefited the hearing aid industry. Many wearers can attest to the improved functionality of digital hearing aids because of the significant changes it has brought to the lives of countless people.

If you want to know more about the different digital hearing aid products, feel free to check us out here at Listening Lab.

About The Listening Lab

Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.

Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.

If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the be st hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.

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What Do Our Customers Say?

Person in charge nice and helpful with warm smiling face. Should you have hearing problem, can seek for her advise.

Catherine Tang Yap

Your service is marvellous! Patient and friendly. Mr Ching has been a customer of The Listening Lab since 2018. We have been attending to him for his follow up reviews and we are glad to see his progress!

Mr Ching

My husband purchased a Siemens Pure 7PX in 2016. We wish to appreciate Listening Lab for their ongoing attention and professional help they have been providing to us.

Mr & Mrs Sriram

My mum has hearing loss for many years. Consultant of Listening Lab helped her fitted with Resound hearing aid. His patience and professionalism was greatly appreciated as the hearing aid enable her to hear and communicate with the people around her especially her grand children. We are happy with the services rendered by consultant. Keep up the good work!!

Madam Low

The Voice of two Generations in Singapore radio, Mr Brian Richmond, has chosen The Listening Lab to be his audiology and hearing services provider. We could not be prouder!

Brian is the definitive household name in English Radio since the early years of Singapore's founding, starting with Rediffusion followed by Radio One and now with Gold 90.5FM as well as Vintage Radio Singapore. His honeyed voice and selection of music filling our ears as we lived the bustle of our daily lives.

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Our Executive Director Kelvin Lee is proudly beaming ear-to-ear in this photo with Brian. But you wont be able to see it through the masks!

Brian Richmond

I started experiencing loss of hearing sometimes in 2010 (41 years old) owing to some medical issue. I was having difficulties hearing conservation especially in meeting. Thus, giving me the fear in attending meeting.

Initially I started with Phonak hearing aid. It helps amplified the sound and I could hear better then. Somehow, my hearing loss deteriorated further that in late 2012 (43 years old), there was profound loss of hearing on my right ear. Even digital hearing aid could not help. On my left ear there is still about 50% to 60% hearing with hearing aid. I was lost at this point of time. I was considering learning sign language. I went to see my ENT specialist and my audiologist Mr. Bala advised me to go for an CI as an alternative to my hearing loss.

I also thank God for Engineer and Scientist, giving them the knowledge to create such a complex and sophisticate device to help those with hearing loss like me. It will be all perfect if the cost is affordable too.

Jonathan Po

I took my mum to Listening Lab at Simei to get her hearing aid fixed, during our first visit, she patiently explained the whole procedure to my mum and also explain to my mum why she really in need to fix the hearing aid. She is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and we are encouraged to ask questions. she is also very patient with old people which is the most importance. Also her after service is superb so I highly recommend.

Mdm Goh

My mum, Madam Kek (73 year old) had the Cochlear implant (CI) done on her left side in 10th September 2019. Thereafter, thanks to the subsequent auditory verbal therapy, evaluation from SGH ENT team, as well as, the support from AB's and Listening Lab staffs; Madam Kek was able to hear, comprehend sound and music from her Cochlear implant, Naida CI Q90, and hearing aid (HA), Naida Link UP, for her right side before end year. We are happy that both the CI and HA have improved mum qualify of life. Now Madam Kek is looking forward to work again to pass her time as she can hear and better communicate with others.

Madam Kek

Titus was implanted when he was 18 months old. He is a happy, talkative 6.5 years old now. AB has been with him for 5 wonderful hearing years and we are looking forward to a bright future that lies ahead for him. AB’s Naída CI sound processors are reliable and the technology is constantly evolving and upgrading. When Titus was introduced to Naida Link CROS, his life was enriched. The wireless network established between his Naida CI sound processor and a Naida Link CROS transmitter allows him to hear from both ears. This changes Titus’s life and the way we interact with him. We are also very pleased with the prompt response and service provided to us. The staff in AB genuinely cares! We want to thank AB for making Titus’s hearing journey an enjoyable and a relatively stress free one!

Titus Pang

I have been living with progressive hearing loss for more than three decades. Socially, I find myself fearful of communicating with people and at home, watching 'soundless' television programs is a norm.

An unforgettable experience. Trying on a pair of Resound GN hearing aid, I was energized and revitalized and overwhelmed with emotional tears of joy. The Resound GN is truly remarkable and uniquely equipped with three-friendly-user environmental modes that provide hearing comfort wherever we are.

In particular, I like to extend my utmost gratitude to Hearing Consultant. With her profound compassion and wisdom in guiding me, I am confident that I can forge a formidable partnership with the Listening Lab; So that I can rebuild a new chapter of a happy and value-creative life and simultaneously, leaving behind the painful memories of the past three decades.

Mr Tan