The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a ratings scale for compatibility between hearing aids and phones:

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has a ratings scale for compatibility between hearing aids and phones:

·         When operating in acoustic (Microphone) mode, the ratings are from M1 (worst) to M4 (best).

·         When operating in electromagnetic (Telecoil) mode, the ratings are from T1 (worst) to T4 (best).

The best possible rating is M4/T4 meaning that the phone works well in both modes. Devices rated below M3 are unsatisfactory for people with hearing aids.

Computer programs that allow the creation of a hearing aid using a PC, tablet or smartphone are currently gaining in popularity.^[37] Modern mobile devices have all the necessary components to implement this: hardware (an ordinary microphone and headphones may be used) and a high-performance microprocessor that carries digital sound processing according to a given algorithm. Application configuration is carried out by the user himself in accordance with the individual features of his hearing ability. The computational power of modern mobile devices is sufficient to produce the best sound quality. This, coupled with software application settings (for example, profile selection according to a sound environment) provides for high comfort and convenience of use. In comparison with the digital hearing aid, mobile applications have the following advantages:

·         ease of use (no need to use additional devices, batteries and so on.);

·         high wearing comfort;

·         complete invisibility (smartphone is not associated with a hearing aid);

·         user-friendly interface of software settings;

·         high sampling frequency (44.1 kHz) providing for excellent sound quality;

·         Fast switching between the external headset and phone microphone;

·         acoustic gain is up to 30 dB (with a standard headset);

·         low delay in audio processing (from 6,3 to 15,7 ms – depending on the mobile device model);

·         No need to get used to it, when changing mobile devices;

·         No loss of settings when switching from one gadget to another and back again;

·         High duration of the battery;

·         free distribution of applications.

It should be clearly understood that "hearing aid" application for smartphone / tablet cannot be considered a complete substitution of a digital hearing aid, since the latter:

·         is a medical device (exposed to the relevant procedures of testing and certification);

·         is designed for use by doctor's prescription;

·         is adjusted using audiometry procedures.

Functionality of hearing aid applications may involve a hearing test (in situ audiometry) too. However, the results of the test are used only to adjust the device for comfortable working with the application. The procedure of hearing testing in any way cannot claim to replace an audiometry test carried out by a medical specialist, so cannot be a basis for diagnosis.

·         Apps such as Oticon ON for certain iOS (Apple) and Android devices can assist in locating a lost/misplaced hearing aid.

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