What characterizes a fixed directional microphone?

A fixed directional microphone is characterized by maintaining a stationary polar pattern, which means that it has a specific directional sensitivity that does not change regardless of the surrounding acoustics. This type of microphone is designed to capture sound primarily from one direction, allowing it to focus on the intended sound source while rejecting noise from other directions.

This feature makes fixed directional microphones particularly useful in environments where background noise or other unwanted sounds may interfere with clarity, such as in hearing aids for individuals in challenging listening situations. The consistent directional sensitivity helps in enhancing speech understanding by prioritizing sounds coming from the front (where the speaker typically is) and diminishing sounds from the sides and rear.

The other options describe features characteristic of different types of microphones or adaptive technology, which do not apply to fixed directional microphones.