Hearing Aid Channels and Bands: What You Need to Know

Hearing aids come with two important characteristics: channels and bands. These terms can be a bit confusing, so let’s break them down:

1. Channels:

• Channels refer to processing filters within a hearing aid.

• Each channel covers a specific range of frequencies.

• The more channels a hearing aid has, the more finely it can process and amplify sounds.

• Channels help differentiate noise from speech, allowing for better customization.

• For example, if you find certain frequencies too loud (like the sound of keys falling), more channels allow precise adjustments without sacrificing important sounds (like conversations with your spouse or boss).

1. Bands:

• Bands control volume in different frequencies.

• They allow adjustments for specific areas of your hearing loss.

• More bands mean better volume resolution.

• Think of bands as the “volume knobs” for different frequency ranges.

Audiogram Accuracy:

• More channels and bands lead to better accuracy in matching your hearing aid to your audiogram.

• However, there’s a point where higher accuracy becomes redundant. Just like how most people can’t notice the difference between two high-resolution pictures, extreme granularity may not be necessary.

How Many Channels Do You Need?

Starkey, a hearing aid manufacturer, did a study involving a sample of 1,156 audiograms to answer the question “how many independent signal processing channels are required to maximize speech audibility”.

The underlying assumption was that the goal of a well-designed hearing aid is to maximize sound quality and speech understanding – as measured by the articulation or “AI Index”.

They found that the perceived benefit in speech audibility beyond 4 channels is marginal, or “statistically insignificant”. The most drastic improvement occurs when moving from 1 to 2 channel devices.

This clearly shows that not all patients require higher number of channels. So if most patients (especially those with mild or moderate hearing loss) can’t hear the difference beyond 2-4 channels, why are manufacturers continuously pushing for more hearing aid channels and bands?

One possible answer is that it allows them to pass through continuous price increases year over year, by calling it “superior” technology. Sure, “superior” it is, but “over-engineered with a negligible benefit” might be a better term.

• Modern devices can have anywhere from 4 to over 24 channels.
  

• Keep in mind that more channels often come with a higher price tag.
  

Remember, finding the right balance between accuracy and practicality is key. If you have specific hearing needs, consult with an audiologist to determine the optimal number of channels for you! 🙌