What is the primary function of tone control in hearing aids?

The primary function of tone control in hearing aids is to boost or cut sound power in selected frequency ranges. This feature allows users to customize their listening experience according to their specific hearing needs. Different individuals may have different degrees of hearing loss across various frequencies, which means a one-size-fits-all amplification approach would not be effective for everyone. By adjusting the tone control, users can enhance their ability to hear certain frequencies more clearly, such as high-frequency sounds, while reducing the amplification of frequencies that may not be as important for their hearing preferences.

This capability is particularly beneficial for optimizing speech understanding since many consonant sounds that are crucial for speech clarity are in the higher frequency range. Thus, by providing the ability to adjust frequency balance, tone control empowers users to achieve a more personalized and effective hearing experience.