Detect Sound

• The first thing that hearing aids do is detect sound. The sound comes in through the hearing aid much like the sound comes in through your telephone. Basically, the hearing aid is equipped with a microphone that picks up the surrounding sound waves.
  
  

The Circuit

• The circuit of a hearing aid is what does all the work. The circuit takes the sound and deciphers it. It has been programmed with software that knows exactly what to do with the incoming sound. It knows how to change the sound to either amplify it so that you can hear it or reduce the sound for things you don't need to hear. For example, the circuit knows to make the background noise softer. It also knows how to reduce loud noises such as the noises you would find on a busy highway. A circuit can even take classical music and enhance it so that you can distinguish each instrument.
  
  

Receiver

• The receiver takes the finished conversion of the sound from the circuit and delivers it to your inner ear. This allows you to hear sounds, conversations and even music that you weren't able to hear before. The receiver is kind of like the delivery person. They picked up the information for you, translated it, and then dropped it off.
  
  

Battery

• The battery is essential. Without the battery the circuit would have no power to do its job. There would be no translation of sound and the individual would be left hearing the same as before you put the hearing aid in. It is recommended that an extra battery be purchased and kept on hand in case the current battery runs out. This way you are never without one of your most important senses-your hearing.