PARTS OF THE EAR
The ear is made up of three distinct parts, each of which plays a role in the hearing process:
HOW DO WE HEAR?
The ear is a marvel of nature that fits our sense of hearing into (literally) the space between our ears. To really understand how and why hearing loss occurs, it’s important to learn how the ear functions.
Middle Ear
The vibration of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) transmits sound to the inner ear through three small bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that carry sound to the inner ear.
Inner Ear
Made up of two main parts: the cochlea, a system of complex hair cells (sensory cells), and the vestibular system. The cochlea is the last stage in the ear before sound is sent to the brain for final processing.
HOW A HEARING AID WORKS
A hearing aid basically consists of one or two microphones, an amplifier and a loudspeaker, also called receiver.
The microphone picks up the incoming sound waves and changes them into digital signals. These signals are individually processed and amplified based upon the hearing loss and fitting parameters provided by the hearing care professional.
Complex algorithms in the hearing aids reduce harsh effects of loud sounds and also reduce background noise hindering speech perception. They are also able to enhance the fine nuances of music and perform differently across various listening scenarios. All processed sounds are then converted back into amplified sound waves to deliver lifelike sound through the ear canal.
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