Binaural Synchronisation and

Co-ordination.

Binaural co-ordination allows the controls of one aid to wirelessly communicate to the opposite hearing aid on the other ear.

Binaural synchronisation enables the two hearing aids to act as one unit. For example, the volume levels of each aid are adjusted to suit the surrounding noise level. The directional microphones are better synchronised to give clearer signal in noise.

Binaural synchronisation is the leading feature in hearing aid performance. This feature has revolutionised hearing aid function.

Some of the more recent and advanced hearing aids fine tune themselves to give better performance. The aids learn the characteristics of those situations that the client frequents and make adjustments to suit.

Certain aids have the ability to connect to Bluetooth broadcasting devices. The most useful device is the  mobile phone. It is also possible to link TV, normal landline phones and MP3 players. The blue tooth connection is enabled by a secondary device which connects to the hearing aids.

Many aids have a button or lever to provide a different sound within the aid for specific situations.

The program button can change the aid to sound better, for example, to hear music better, to help in reducing background noise or to activate the T coil or loop system.

One of the most common uses is the Noise Switch. The noise switch can be built into most hearing aids and works to reduce most background noise.

In its simplest form, the directional microphone focuses the sound reception to pick up the speech signal in front of the hearing aid wearer and reduce it from behind.

In its most complicated form, it can analyse the position of the speaker within background noise and reduce a number of noise sources to focus on the speaker.

Directional microphones are the best way of reducing background noise which is the bugbear of most hearing aids users.

Remote controls for hearing aids can change a number of settings within the hearing aid to improve use.  For example, it can turn the hearing aid louder, softer, change the program, change the telecoil switch and balance two hearing aids.

A manual or wheel volume control is a standard hearing aid fitting.  The wheel can turn the hearing aid up to make it louder, or down to make it softer or turn it off.

This aid can adjust the loudness level automatically and can to a greater or lesser degree reduce background noise.

This feature enables better fine-tuning of hearing aids to suit hearing loss.  The signal can be divided into different channels and treated appropriately.

Like telephones and other technology, hearing aids have been developed with digital technology. This is the way sound is processed by the hearing aid, making them able to be more finely tuned to a client's needs.

The Telecoil is a very small switch on hearing aid, which enables the aid to pick up a signal within a very local broadcast area.  The Telecoil when switched on will pick up a magnetic signal that is then converted to sound for amplification within the hearing aid.

It can be used in meeting rooms, cinemas, place of worship and lecture halls when the venues are equipped with the facility to broadcast over the loop.