2. A directional hearing aid picks up sound toward the front & reduces sound from the
side or to the rear to help with background noise. While facing the individual they are
talking to, the instrument will reduce unwanted noise behind the person wearing the aid.
3. Directional microphones cannot be placed in a completely in the canal hearing aid (CIC)
because of a size restriction. When microphones are placed deep in the concha,
directionality is mostly from the front. Some professionals have suggested that a CIC
may be nearly as effective as directional hearing aids using the pinna affect. However,
research supports directionality as the most effective means of reducing unwanted
background noise to the rear.
4. A two port single microphone or forward microphone matched to a back microphone
may be used to create a directional effect of picking sound up toward the front while
dampening sound from the rear.
5. Directionality creates a "WOW" effect when noise in a restaurant is to the rear because
the drop in noise levels to the rear is obvious. However, this effect is more obvious if
used in this manner and if the ear is not open. The "WOW" effect is often not as obvious
or noticeable with a high frequency hearing loss. The "WOW" effect is not effective if the
noise is toward the front of the person instead of toward the rear.
Elephants have very effective
natural directionality --->
Directionality
1. A completely-in-the-canal hearing aid (CIC) uses the pinna for natural directionality.
Cascade Audiology