What is the primary function of a receiver in a hearing aid?

The primary function of a receiver in a hearing aid is to convert the electrical signals that have been amplified back into acoustic sound waves. After sound enters the microphone, it is transformed into an electrical signal, which is then processed and amplified. The receiver's role is crucial as it changes the amplified electrical signal back to sound waves that can be delivered to the ear. This conversion is essential for the user to perceive sound in a way that is natural and intelligible.

While increasing the incoming signal is a vital part of hearing aid functionality, it is specifically the amplifier that performs this task, not the receiver. Sending signals into the canal after processing relates more to the overall pathway of sound within the hearing aid rather than to the distinct function of the receiver itself. Matching the impedance of the ear is an important consideration in hearing aid design for ensuring optimal sound delivery, but it does not define the primary role of the receiver. The receiver's fundamental function remains the conversion of signals to enable the user to hear effectively.