Auditory Signal Processing: Technology and Design of Modern Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are highly sophisticated electronic devices that utilize Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to enhance sound for individuals with hearing impairment. Unlike simple amplifiers, modern hearing aids distinguish between speech and background noise to provide a clear auditory experience.
Core Components and Functionality
The Microphone: Captures acoustic waves from the environment and converts them into electrical signals.
The Digital Processor: The "brain" of the device. It converts electrical signals into a binary code (bits and bytes), allowing complex algorithms to filter noise, cancel feedback (whistling), and amplify specific frequencies based on the user's audiogram.
The Receiver (Speaker): Converts the processed digital signal back into sound waves and delivers them into the ear canal.