The most common complaint about hearing loss is the inability to understand speech in background noise.  Even with the most advanced circuits, sometimes, hearing aids are not enough to conquer the adverse effects of noise.  The amount of desired sound compared to the amount of undesired sound is called the signal-to-noise ratio.  The better the signal-to-noise ratio, the more clearly you will understand speech in noise.  Assistive Listening Devices (ALD's) improve the signal-to-noise ratio using remote microphones and receivers to separate the speaker's voice from the background noise.  The images below demonstrate how properly used ALD's make speech much clearer in the presence of background noise.
CLICK HERE to listen to a +0 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio.  While this may not sound bad to a person with normal hearing, it is not sufficiently clear for your child.

NOTE: Clicking this link will open your default MP3 player and you'll need speakers or headphones to hear this.

Hearing Aid Alone

  

With an ALD attached to the hearing aid, the Signal-to-Noise ratio can improve dramatically making it much easier for your child to hear and understand.  CLICK HERE to hear a sample at +24 dB Signal-to-Noise ratio.

NOTE: Clicking this link will open your default MP3 player and you'll need speakers or headphones to hear this..

Hearing Aid and ALD

 

The chart below shows some of the ways to connect your hearing aids to an ALD.  

Connection Type Photo Description Hearing Aid Requirements
Neck Loop

Worn around the neck, the  loop generates an electromagnetic signal that is picked up by the Telecoil of the hearing aid.

  • Telecoil
Silhouette Inductor

Similar to a neck loop, but worn behind the ear. Provides a stronger signal than the loop.
  • Telecoil
Direct Audio Input (DAI)

Connects to a socket on the bottom of a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid.  The DAI can connect to a variety of audio sources such as ALD's, personal stereos, televisions, telephones and personal computers.
  • BTE Hearing Aid
  • Available DAI socket
Earphone or Earbud

For use by people who do not wear hearing aids, but need some assistance in certain situations.
  • None