How might digital signal processors impact \annoyance\ issues?
Annoyance with amplification is driven by the fact that the impaired ear (and brain) has to work harder than the normal ear (and brain) to receive maximal auditory information from the acoustic signal. Therefore, circuitry and amplification options which provide better, easier, higher-quality signals can be expected to result in reduced fatigue and reduced annoyance. Digital signal processors (DSP) in and of themselves would not be expected to reduce annoyance. However, smart audiologic solutions available via DSP platforms will help. Solutions available on DSP platforms are theoretically more effective and more efficient than their non-DSP analog origins. DSP solutions can be effectively combined as needed and should result in decreased annoyance. For example, DSP driven Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC) effectively lessens the strain required to hear soft speech and reduces the overall level at which moderate to loud speech will be presented to the ear. DSP driven directionality
