In order to make an informed decision before purchasing a hearing aid, it's important to know the range of technology available. There are remarkable hearing devices on the market today with acutely sensitive mechanisms, allowing for wonderful audio enhancement. Essentially, there are six different styles or types of hearing aids, each available in the three types of technology listed below.

Following is a brief overview of the three types of hearing aid technology available today:

1. Analog hearing aids are the most basic type of hearing instruments and have been in use the longest time.  An analog (or traditional) hearing aid is governed by an analog circuit (or chip) that reacts to sound waves. Unlike digital technology, which responds automatically and more precisely to sound variances, an analog device must be adjusted manually by increasing or decreasing the volume. If your hearing changes over time, minor adjustments can be made to the device at a licensed hearing aid center.

2. Digitally programmable hearing aids are a step up in technology from analog hearing aids. These instruments have an analog circuit (or chip) that can be programmed by your hearing aid specialist on a computer. This allows for greater flexibility and custom fine-tuning of the device, based upon your particular needs. Most programmable hearing aids have automatic volume control so that you need only wear the instrument and listen. The device has been programmed to respond to sound, based upon your audio capabilities. Although such devices are programmed to meet your particular hearing needs, they do not offer the full range of flexibility or the fast processing that a digital hearing aid does.

3. Digital hearing aids offer today's most advanced technology. Digital hearing aids are programmable hearing instruments with digital computer chips. These digital chips are more flexible than analog computer chips. They can be precisely programmed to accommodate your specific hearing loss. Digital circuits offer improved clarity of sound over analog devices, less circuit noise and faster sound processing. Digital hearing aids are easy to use because they adjust sound automatically and with the greatest accuracy. This means that the sounds you hear will be clear and free of distortion. Digital hearing aids are the most precise prescriptive fitting available, customized to your particular hearing needs. Digital processing shapes the volume, control and clarity of your signal across changing pitches.