Analog
Analog means that information or a signal is presented, transmitted or processed in a continuous fashion.
For example, until a few years ago, most speedometers in cars were analog, because their indicator moved smoothly based on how fast the wheels were turning. They presented their information (the speed) with a needle that essentially had an infinite number of positions.
TV and radio signals (until recently) were completely analog. A radio wave with varying amplitude (AM) or frequency (FM) represented the video or audio signal, which was then converted by your receiver to another analog medium (sound or a picture drawn with a varying electron gun).
Record players are analog (the needle bounces up and down in varying intensity based on the recorded wave pattern in the grooves.
Even computers used to be analog, although you wouldn't recognize them as computers as we know them today.
Until recently, all hearing aids were analog devices, basically responding to sound in a continuous sort of way.
Digital processing is now being introduced in almost everything (sound, video, photographs, TV, radio etc), and it offers many advantages ... mainly in the ways that it can process the signal, but also in the ways it can be used to control the settings.
Digital processing is an alternative to analog processing, and it does have some advantages. Learn more about digital.
Still, with all the hype, one would think that digital hearing aids are miracles and that analog hearing aids are not suitable anymore for any hearing loss. But that's not true. Analog aids are still quite effective for many people. Some people even prefer analog aids to digital aids.
Learn more about:
| Check Out Our Sponsors |
|