Question
If I order a 100% digital hearing aid, is that available as a class D, or are those 2 things mutually exclusive?
Answer
The two are really mutually exclusive. When you order an instrument that is ''100% digital,'' you receive an instrument that has a digital amplifier. A Class D circuit would not be necessary in most cases.
With a digital hearing instrument, the analog signal (sound hitting the microphone) is converted into a digital format by the analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and amplified within that format before being converted back to an analog signal. Other manipulations of the signal can also occur in the digital signal processing (DSP) format such as acoustic feedback reduction, noise reduction, and control of the directional microphones. When the term ''100% digital'' is used, it can be misleading as the majority of current ''digital'' hearing instruments still have some analog components such as the microphone and receiver (speaker). Rather, this term is intended to mean that the hearing instrument has the capability to amplify within a digital format. The term ''digitally programmable'' can apply to both analog and digital instruments. ''Digitally programmable'' instruments that use analog amplifiers are programmed via a computer or hand-held programmer to set the controls of the instrument; however, once programmed they are analog amplifiers. In other words, they do not employ any digital signal processing.
BIO
Angela Pool has been an Educational Specialist and trainer with Siemens Hearing Instruments for the last four years. Prior to joining Siemens she worked as a clinical audiologist at Mayo Clinic and the University of Florida Pediatric Hearing Program. Ms. Pool received her Masters degree in Audiology from the University of South Alabama.
Click here to visit the Siemens Hearing Instruments website.
Angela Pool, MS, FAAA
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/auditory-wellness-what-clinicians-need-36608Auditory Wellness: What Clinicians Need to KnowAs most hearing care professionals know, the functional capabilities of individuals with hearing loss are defined by more than the audiogram. Many of these functional capabilities fall under the rubric, auditory wellness. This podcast will be a discussion between Brian Taylor of Signia and his guest, Barbara Weinstein, professor of audiology at City University of New York. They will outline the concept of auditory wellness, how it can be measured clinically and how properly fitted hearing aids have the potential to improve auditory wellness.auditory129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comAuditory Wellness: What Clinicians Need to KnowAs most hearing care professionals know, the functional capabilities of individuals with hearing loss are defined by more than the audiogram. Many of these functional capabilities fall under the rubric, auditory wellness. This podcast will be a discussion between Brian Taylor of Signia and his guest, Barbara Weinstein, professor of audiology at City University of New York. They will outline the concept of auditory wellness, how it can be measured clinically and how properly fitted hearing aids have the potential to improve auditory wellness.36608OnlinePT30M
As most hearing care professionals know, the functional capabilities of individuals with hearing loss are defined by more than the audiogram. Many of these functional capabilities fall under the rubric, auditory wellness. This podcast will be a discussion between Brian Taylor of Signia and his guest, Barbara Weinstein, professor of audiology at City University of New York. They will outline the concept of auditory wellness, how it can be measured clinically and how properly fitted hearing aids have the potential to improve auditory wellness.
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/understanding-patient-empowerment-along-hearing-37890Understanding Patient Empowerment Along the Hearing Health JourneyMost clinicians recognize the importance of empowerment in the patient journey, but do they know what it really means for a patient to feel empowered? Find out in this engaging and informative podcast with WSA research scientist, Sarah Gotowiec, PhD, who reviews the five dimensions of patient empowerment and how clinicians can apply her research to empower patients more effectively throughout the patient journey. This recent open access article is the focus of her discussion: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2021.1915509auditory129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comUnderstanding Patient Empowerment Along the Hearing Health JourneyMost clinicians recognize the importance of empowerment in the patient journey, but do they know what it really means for a patient to feel empowered? Find out in this engaging and informative podcast with WSA research scientist, Sarah Gotowiec, PhD, who reviews the five dimensions of patient empowerment and how clinicians can apply her research to empower patients more effectively throughout the patient journey. This recent open access article is the focus of her discussion: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2021.191550937890OnlinePT30M
Most clinicians recognize the importance of empowerment in the patient journey, but do they know what it really means for a patient to feel empowered? Find out in this engaging and informative podcast with WSA research scientist, Sarah Gotowiec, PhD, who reviews the five dimensions of patient empowerment and how clinicians can apply her research to empower patients more effectively throughout the patient journey. This recent open access article is the focus of her discussion: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2021.1915509
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/signia-expert-hearingaid-fitting-nuggets-37894Signia Expert Series: Hearing Aid Fitting Nuggets Mined From Recent ResearchEach year, over 300 articles are published in professional journals related to the function and fitting of hearing aids. Some are rather esoteric, but others have data that provide unique fitting tips that can be applied on Monday morning! We'll review the key findings of some of this emerging research that hopefully will be useful to you and beneficial for your patients.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comSignia Expert Series: Hearing Aid Fitting Nuggets Mined From Recent ResearchEach year, over 300 articles are published in professional journals related to the function and fitting of hearing aids. Some are rather esoteric, but others have data that provide unique fitting tips that can be applied on Monday morning! We'll review the key findings of some of this emerging research that hopefully will be useful to you and beneficial for your patients.37894OnlinePT60M
Each year, over 300 articles are published in professional journals related to the function and fitting of hearing aids. Some are rather esoteric, but others have data that provide unique fitting tips that can be applied on Monday morning! We'll review the key findings of some of this emerging research that hopefully will be useful to you and beneficial for your patients.
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/signia-expert-help-pts-heartv-37895Signia Expert Series: What Did They Say? Potential Solutions for Helping Patients Hear the TelevisionWatching television or movies at home is a very common leisure activity for adults. Yet, people with hearing loss often struggle to hear the television. This presentation will discuss the importance of television or movie viewing and will offer some evidence-based solutions for improving the television viewing experience for adults with hearing loss.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comSignia Expert Series: What Did They Say? Potential Solutions for Helping Patients Hear the TelevisionWatching television or movies at home is a very common leisure activity for adults. Yet, people with hearing loss often struggle to hear the television. This presentation will discuss the importance of television or movie viewing and will offer some evidence-based solutions for improving the television viewing experience for adults with hearing loss.37895OnlinePT60M
Watching television or movies at home is a very common leisure activity for adults. Yet, people with hearing loss often struggle to hear the television. This presentation will discuss the importance of television or movie viewing and will offer some evidence-based solutions for improving the television viewing experience for adults with hearing loss.
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/research-quicktakes-volume-4-debunking-38922Research QuickTakes Volume 4: Debunking Some Beliefs About Fitting Hearing AidsOver the years, general practices and beliefs around fitting hearing aids are formed. Some are from experience, some are from random observations or readings, and others are from a colleague or a rep. Often, not all of these beliefs are true, and that’s what we’ll talk about in this course.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comResearch QuickTakes Volume 4: Debunking Some Beliefs About Fitting Hearing AidsOver the years, general practices and beliefs around fitting hearing aids are formed. Some are from experience, some are from random observations or readings, and others are from a colleague or a rep. Often, not all of these beliefs are true, and that’s what we’ll talk about in this course.38922OnlinePT90M
Over the years, general practices and beliefs around fitting hearing aids are formed. Some are from experience, some are from random observations or readings, and others are from a colleague or a rep. Often, not all of these beliefs are true, and that’s what we’ll talk about in this course.
