Hearing loss makes it harder to both hear sounds as well as locate where they are coming from. Hearing aids with directional microphones can help!
How Directional Microphones Make Hearing Aids Better
As the name implies, directional microphones pick up sounds coming from specific directions. Some microphones are omnidirectional, which means that they collect every sound from all directions equally. This can be unhelpful for hearing aid users when you’re trying to tune out the background noise and listen to your spouse talking while you’re out to dinner at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar in downtown Bellevue.
Directional microphones help to suppress background noise and make it easier for you to focus on the sounds you want to hear. Studies have shown that directional microphones can significantly improve speech recognition in noise.
How They Work
There are different ways that directional microphones can work, depending on the type. Some are single microphones with multiple ports on both sides of the sound-receiving sensor. Any sound the device picks up from both sides (such as background noise) will get canceled out, making it easier for you to focus your listening attention in a specific direction.
A more advanced version of directionality comes from using two to three separate microphones within the hearing aids. This helps to improve directionality because the shorter distances between the microphones gives them the ability to be extra selective in terms of which sounds to cancel out and which ones to focus on.
Don’t Let Hearing Loss Stop You from Connecting With Others
One of the biggest advantages of directional microphones is that they improve your ability to communicate with others in any environment. This is crucial because one of the ways hearing loss can negatively impact your life the most is by making it harder to socialize and connect with others.
Left untreated, hearing loss often worsens, making conversations even more difficult to follow. This is why many people with the condition start to withdraw and isolate themselves from others. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, strain relationships, worsen anxiety and depression and may even increase your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Hearing aids and other assistive listening devices let you stay connected and engaged with those around you.
If you are concerned about your hearing, call the experts at Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic today and schedule an appointment for an evaluation.