Directional Microphone
A hearing aid microphone system designed to preferentially amplify sounds arriving from in front of the listener while attenuating sounds from other directions.
Full Definition
A directional microphone uses two or more microphone ports to compare the time and level difference of incoming sounds, creating a polar pickup pattern that favours signals from the front. This technology is particularly valuable in noisy environments where the primary speech signal originates ahead of the listener. Editors will encounter the term in hearing aid technical documentation, fitting reports, and outcome measure studies. It is often paired with automatic switching technology that toggles between omnidirectional and directional modes. The degree of directionality is described by the directivity index (DI), expressed in decibels.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence; do not hyphenate 'directional microphone' as a noun phrase, but hyphenate as a compound modifier: 'directional-microphone technology'.
In Context
- "The fitting report noted that the directional microphone was activated automatically in environments exceeding 65 dB SPL." — Hearing Aid Fitting Report
- "Candidates should not confuse the directional microphone setting with the telecoil programme when editing device user guides." — Editorial Style Note