Guide to Understanding Modern Hearing Aid Technology

November 2, 2022

The term hearing aid technology is an umbrella term used to describe the different models and performance levels of hearing aids. A higher performing hearing aid will often provide more options for customization and an overall increase in processing power, to help those with hearing loss overcome more challenging listening situations.


The technology level tends to be one of the main influencing factors on the cost of hearing aids


Popular modern features of hearing aids, like Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries, tend to be available in most models, leaving the level of technology as the most crucial factor in choosing new hearing aids.


At Red Door Hearing and Speech, we rely on the results of your hearing test to help decide the best technology level to match your specific hearing needs. 

How Hearing Aids Improve your Hearing

Hearing loss has many different causes, however, in general it is caused when there is a break down somewhere along the hearing pathway from the outer ear through to the brain. Sound is unable to travel its normal path and the brain is unable to interpret the signal it has been provided. Hearing aids improve the ability of the ears to collect sound and to send a clearer signal to the brain to process and interpret. Hearing aids help by improving how sounds are collected and filtered – all according to your individual hearing loss.

 

There are five main components of hearing aids:

 

  • Microphone: Collects sound.
  • Amplifier: Amplifies and converts sound waves into electrical signals.
  • Power Source: Powers the device with a disposable or rechargeable battery.
  • Speaker: Outputs the optimized sounds.
  • Processor: Enhances or adjusts the electrical signals based on the frequencies that are necessary for your hearing loss while minimizing unwanted noises.


In recent years, most of the technological advancements in hearing technology have related to the processor. These micro innovations have contributed to hearing aids that sound more natural and are more effective at managing hearing loss.

 

Hearing Aid Types

There are a few distinct factors that help distinguish between the different styles of hearing aids.

 

Styles of Hearing Aids

Hearing aid style refers to how the hearing aid fits in (or on) your ear. It is the most common categorization of hearing aids.

 

  • Mini Receiver in the Ear: Most of the electronic components sit in a small case behind the ear, with a small receiver sitting inside of the ear canal.
  • Behind the Ear: The electronic components sit outside the ear, with a small tube and custom-fit earpiece entering the ear.
  • Invisible in the Canal: Custom made for each user, these are the smallest hearing aids available and are virtually invisible because the entire device fits in the ear canal. The electronics are housed in a case that sits inside the ear canal.
  • Completely in the Canal: Custom made for each user; they are slightly more visible than the invisible in the canal option. The electronics are housed in a case that sits inside the ear canal.
  • In the Canal: Custom made for each user, a slightly larger model that fills up more of the ear canal opening. Can provide a slightly longer battery life due to its larger size.
  • In the Ear: Largest model of custom-made hearing aids. Fills up most of the ear and is slightly easier to handle due to its size. Can accommodate a larger battery and longer battery life due to its size. All electronics are built inside the custom-made shell.


Hearing aids are available in various colours to suit your personal taste or preferences. Typically, cosmetic options don’t impact the cost.

 

Technology Levels of Hearing Aids


Hearing aid technology levels describe the different components that impact the sophistication of the miniature computer found in the hearing aid. Similar to your personal computer, more advanced technology can run more complex software.


Hearing Aid Features

Hearing aid features improve the usability, experience, or comfort of the devices. Wind noise reduction and feedback suppression help to minimize and prevent unwanted noises. Bluetooth connectivity and telecoil options allow your devices to automatically connect to personal or public accessibility devices. Rechargeable batteries are also an option, convenient if you have trouble with changing small batteries every week.

 

Advanced Technologies

Advanced hearing aids process a wider range of sounds more precisely, and they can better adapt to different environments or situations. 

 

  • Sound quality: Optimize sounds according to the present conditions to provide balanced sounds in more environments and situations.
  • Listening comfort: Improved protection against unexpected noises, like loud sounds and wind.
  • Processing channels: More processing channels mean that a broader range of frequencies can be independently analyzed and processed. This improves the accuracy of the output and allows the hearing aids to better match an individual’s hearing profile.
  • Speech understanding: The ability to strengthen sounds that are essential for understanding speech while filtering out sounds that are not important.
  • More personalization: Advanced hearing aids can be more precisely fine-tuned, and they may have additional features such as tinnitus support.

 

Basic and Intermediate Technology Levels

Basic and intermediate hearing aids often look the same as their advanced counterparts, but they don’t have all the same processing capabilities. As hearing aids climb in technology level more features are made available to improve the quality of speech, reduce background noise and provide a more natural sound

 

Still, many basic hearing aids are still available in different styles and have features like telecoil connectivity, wind noise management and tinnitus support. They just don’t have the same degree of precision or processing capabilities.

 

The Best Way to Select Hearing Aids

As you have read, there is a lot of variety in hearing aids and hearing aid technology. You can choose the style, and technology level that will work the best for your individual needs. The key to knowing which options will work best for you is to understand your own specific hearing needs.


You can do this by booking a hearing test with Red Door Hearing & Speech. We’ll help you understand exactly what’s going on with your hearing and find the perfect personalized hearing aid solution to fit your needs.

Why Hearing Care Is Never One-Size-Fits-All

June 17, 2025
There’s no single solution to hearing challenges — and that’s a good thing. Every person’s hearing loss is unique, shaped by their specific hearing profile, lifestyle, and overall health. That’s why at Red Door Hearing, we take a personalized approach to care. Even for something as common as hearing aids, the path to success varies from person to person. But while individual experiences differ, there are shared milestones and proven factors that contribute to long-term success in hearing health. What Does Success in Hearing Care Look Like? The definition of success in hearing care is different for everyone. For some, it means hearing conversations more clearly in noisy environments. For others, it means reducing the impact of tinnitus or improving their sense of well-being. Still, most journeys follow a similar path, built on three essential milestones: - Booking a hearing test - Committing to a treatment plan - Consistently using hearing aids in daily life The First Step: Booking a Hearing Test Getting your hearing tested is a major success in itself. Many people delay hearing exams — often because of uncertainty, stigma, or simply not realizing how much their hearing has changed. But early action makes a real difference. Key motivators that often lead to scheduling a hearing test include: - Support from family and loved ones - Missing out on favorite activities - Frustration with ongoing hearing issues Short-Term Success: Wearing Your Hearing Aids Short-term success means taking action — and actually wearing your hearing aids regularly. It’s more common than you’d think for people to invest in hearing aids, only to leave them unused. Maybe they’re uncomfortable. Maybe they don’t seem to help. Or maybe the style just doesn’t feel right. That’s why Red Door Hearing takes the time to find the right hearing aid for your needs and preferences. From fit to function to features, our audiologists help you choose devices that work for your life. Long-Term Success: Making Hearing Aids Part of Daily Life Long-term success happens when hearing aids become second nature. You put them in first thing in the morning without hesitation. You don’t feel the need to remove them throughout the day. And you notice the difference — from catching soft sounds to feeling more relaxed in social settings. That’s when you know your hearing care plan is truly working. What Factors Lead to Hearing Success? While the journey is personal, the following factors play a big role in achieving better hearing outcomes — and they don’t require any extra cost, just commitment. Involvement of Family Family support can be a game changer. For adults, bringing a loved one to your appointment can offer emotional support and help reinforce communication goals. For children, family involvement is even more critical in teaching advocacy skills and building confidence. Letting Data Guide Decisions A hearing test isn’t just a pass/fail check — it gives us valuable information about your hearing thresholds, potential causes of hearing loss, and treatment options. Our audiologists use this data to tailor your care, ensuring you get the right device and support. Choosing Technology Based on Your Needs It's easy to get caught up in features like Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries — and while they’re helpful, the most important thing is matching technology to your hearing profile. We focus on what will actually benefit you, not just what’s new. Professional Hearing Aid Fitting Even the best hearing aids need to be programmed correctly. Using real ear measurements, we fine-tune your devices to ensure they’re delivering the right amplification — exactly where you need it — while they’re in your ears.\ Staying Positive Adjusting to hearing aids takes time. Practice, patience, and a positive mindset can make all the difference. Celebrate your wins, stay committed to the process, and remember that better hearing is within reach. Ready to start your hearing journey? Book a hearing test with Red Door Hearing and let us help you take the first step.

What is Hearing Aid Fitting (and Why is it So Important)?

June 10, 2025
A hearing aid fitting is a crucial part of your journey toward better hearing. After your hearing test and hearing aid selection, your audiologist will schedule a fitting — not just to ensure your devices are comfortable, but to fine-tune them so they work perfectly for your unique hearing needs. At Red Door Hearing, we believe professional hearing aid fitting is essential to long-term success with hearing aids. Why Hearing Aid Fitting Matters Many people think a fitting is just about comfort — but it’s so much more. A hearing aid fitting is a diagnostic and adjustment process that ensures your hearing aids match your hearing prescription. With expert fitting, you’ll get the most out of your technology and experience significantly improved results. Steps to Getting Hearing Aids Your journey to better hearing starts with a comprehensive hearing test and consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your lifestyle and listening needs so we can recommend hearing aids that fit both your hearing profile and your daily routine. Once you’ve selected your devices, we’ll book a hearing aid fitting. This isn’t the end of your care — we follow up within the first month to ensure your hearing aids are comfortable and effective, and we continue to offer support and adjustments as needed. What Happens During a Hearing Aid Fitting? The fitting process ensures your devices are properly programmed. Hearing aids arrive with default factory settings, but our audiologists use the results of your hearing test to adjust the volume, output, and features of each device specifically to your hearing needs. We also perform **real-ear measurements**, where a small microphone is placed in your ear canal to measure the actual sound delivered by the hearing aid. This confirms that the devices are meeting your prescription in real-world conditions. Why Real-Ear Measurements Matter Real-ear measurements are one of the most effective ways to ensure hearing aids perform accurately and comfortably. Since every ear is different, testing how sound behaves in your ear canal while the device is in use gives us the clearest picture of how well it’s working. This step isn’t offered at every clinic — but at Red Door Hearing, it’s a standard part of our fitting process because it leads to better outcomes and a more personalized experience. Your Role in a Successful Fit A hearing aid fitting is also a hands-on appointment for you. We’ll show you how to use, clean, and maintain your hearing aids. You’ll leave with confidence in your devices — and support just a call away. Have Your Hearing Aids Been Properly Fitted? Not every hearing clinic provides full professional fittings with real-ear measurements. If your current devices haven’t been properly fitted, we can help. Our team is happy to test and reprogram your existing hearing aids to make sure they’re working for you — not against you. Your hearing aids should feel comfortable, deliver clear sound, and help you stay connected. Book an appointment at Red Door Hearing and let’s make sure they do just that.