Revised from my 2016 article on the same subject. I recently encountered a vivid illustration of how sound can be adeptly managed through multiple microphones in a set of hearing aids.

Our family embarked on a hike at Ricketts Glen State Park, a hidden gem nestled in Pennsylvania, merely 72 miles northeast of Lock Haven, just a short distance from the quaint village of Red Rock.

The hike comprises a rugged four-mile trail that descends into a steep ravine before ascending the opposite side. A picturesque brook babbles as it cascades down the rocks, accompanied by a remarkable 31 waterfalls within the glen. My family was approximately 10 feet ahead of me on the trail, and I found myself struggling to hear them. The sounds of the water rushing over the rocks presented a significant auditory challenge. I thought, “I need to increase the volume on my hearing aids!” Instead, I opted to utilize my remote control to switch to a directional microphone, meticulously engineered to capture sound from the front. The result was immediate and transformative.

When I turned back to the brook, the sound of the water diminished considerably from behind me. Conversely, when I faced the brook, the sound returned to its typical volume. While I still perceived the sound of the water in front of me as I continued to hike, the attenuation of the babbling brook to my sides and rear enabled the voices of my family to resonate with remarkable clarity, even from a distance of 10 feet.

The directional microphone feature is what empowers hearing aid users to navigate noisy environments, such as bustling restaurants or church social halls, with greater ease. Hearing is an extraordinary gift. At its most fundamental level, our ears receive sound, which traverses down the ear canal, through the middle ear, and into the cochlea, where the delicate hair cells therein vibrate in response to various frequencies.

These signals are transmitted to the brain, which decipher the incoming messages and interprets them. For individuals with normal hearing, the brain instinctively filters out background noise and non-essential information, allowing for focused engagement with speech and other vital signals.

For those grappling with hearing loss, the task of discerning speech amidst noise becomes significantly more challenging, and I speak from personal experience.

Due to the damage inflicted upon the minuscule hair cells in the ear, individuals like myself face greater difficulty distinguishing speech in environments saturated with background noise.

Additionally, these individuals often find loud sounds uncomfortable.

Researchers at Starkey Hearing Aids assert, “One way to combat the challenge of distinguishing speech in noise is through a feature incorporated in many hearing aids known as directionality. Directional systems typically consist of two or more microphones strategically separated by a specific distance on the hearing aid. The variance in the arrival time of sound to each microphone determines the hearing aids response to auditory input. It is important to note that directional microphones generally concentrate on amplifying sounds in front of the listener.”

Directional microphones have been integrated into hearing aids since the early 2000s. If a professional claims they can completely eliminate background noise, they are either poorly trained or disingenuous. While directional microphones can suppress sounds from the sides and behind, they cannot entirely eradicate them.

If a sound is perceivable, the hearing aid microphone will reproduce it in your ear, albeit at a diminished decibel level, thereby enhancing the clarity of sound originating from the front.

Returning to Ricketts Glen, I am perpetually astonished to witness tourists embarking on this arduous path clad in flip-flops, oblivious to the challenges that lie ahead.

Similarly, we are all familiar with individuals who possess impaired hearing yet endeavor to navigate the auditory landscape around them without the advantage of digital hearing aids. Hearing care is integral to health care.

If you exhibit symptoms of hearing loss, seek the assistance of a professional who can elucidate the underlying causes.

A hearing professional will guide you in discerning the appropriate level of technology to suit your needs and budget while addressing your inquiries regarding hearing requirements.

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Jeffrey L. Bayliff, NBC-HIS, is owner of Hear the Birds Hearing Aid Center in Lock Haven, Pa.