What does a larger ratio in hearing aids indicate regarding sound compression?

A larger ratio in hearing aids indicates that there is more gain applied to medium sounds. This is crucial in the context of sound compression, where the compression ratio determines how much the hearing aid amplifies the incoming sounds, particularly sounds that fall within a medium range.

When the ratio is larger, it means that the device is set to provide greater amplification for sounds that are perceived as medium in loudness. This helps in ensuring that softer sounds can be heard adequately and that louder sounds do not become overwhelmingly loud. By focusing on increasing gain specifically for medium sounds, hearing aids can improve the clarity of speech and other important sounds that a person may want to hear without distorting louder environmental noises.

In contrast, scenarios like less gain for medium sounds, no compression, or equal gain across all sounds do not effectively address the dynamics of sound input in a way that enhances overall hearing performance. Thus, the essence of a larger ratio lies in its ability to optimize the listening experience through targeted amplification of medium sounds.