There are essentially three levels of hearing aid technology. I refer to them as analog, digitally programmable, and digital.

ANALOG technology is the technology that has been around for many decades. Analog technology is basic technology and offers limited adjustment capability. It is the LEAST expensive and the least flexible. Analog technology is rarely recommended.

DIGITALLY PROGRAMMABLE technology is the "middle grade" technology. Digitally programmable units are actually analog technology, but they are digitally controlled by the computer in the office to adjust the sounds of the hearing aid.

DIGITAL technology is the most sophisticated hearing aid technology. Digital technology gives the audiologist maximum control over sound quality and sound processing characteristics. There are qualitative and quantitative indications that digital instruments do outperform digitally programmable and analog hearing aids. Digital are not perfect, but the are very good. Digital hearing aids are always recommended, unless there is an overwhelmingly compelling reason to recommend a lesser product.