One of the primary complaints of older hearing instruments revolved around the problem of “acoustic feedback,” which occurs when some of the amplified sound leaks from the ear canal back into the microphone and becomes re-amplified. This cycle of leakage and re-amplification (known as the “feedback cycle”) results in a loud squealing sound that wearers find disconnecting, to say the least. While this problem used to be addressed by increasing the acoustic seal of earmolds, the fix often proved uncomfortable. The good news is that today’s hearing instruments have “adaptive feedback cancellation” systems, which constantly monitor the part of the signal played back by the receiver that returns to the microphones and removes it before it is re-amplified.
P.S Adaptive feedback cancellation can also play a role in “echo cancellation,” which removes the echo from vocal sounds, thereby improving the voice quality of telephone communications.
To schedule a hearing assessment, please call EAR & HEARING CLINIC. We regularly conduct presentations on hearing loss and hearing aids for interested groups. Each year we accept nominations for our GIFT of Hearing giveaway. Nominate yourself, a friend, or a loved one for a chance to receive a free pair of hearing aids. We are registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario. “Hear the Sounds of Life”
