In addition to cosmetic appeal, CICs are easier to use on the telephone. Usually this type of hearing loss is temporary and treatable, and the degree of hearing loss may range from mild to moderate. These conditions require prompt medical attention. Digital hearing aids use computers to convert continuous analog signals into discrete data points for processing within the hearing aid, and then reconvert them to analog acoustic signals for use in the listener's ear, allowing sound modifications not possible with non-digital technology. The digital signal can be processed to meet the wearer's needs, and then reconverted into sound.
Digital processing allows a great deal more precision and less distortion than older technologies.
Patients with sensorineural hearing loss often have a reduced dynamic range, and may experience distortions or discomfort at loud sound levels. The earmold channels sound from the hearing aid into the ear canal. The Eustachian tube helps balance air pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear. Sounds are picked up by a microphone, processed and amplified to accommodate the specific nature of the hearing loss, and directed to the wearer's ear. Current hearing aid technology processes speech and environmental sounds to optimize speech understanding, and keep sound levels audible and comfortable.