1. A method of processing an audio band signal in a digital hearing aid, said hearing aid comprising a microphone, an analysis filterbank having a plurality of separate frequency band outputs, a programmable digital signal processor, a non-volatile memory, and a receiver, the method comprising the steps of: (1) programming an encoding scheme in said digital signal processor; (2) receiving said audio band signal at said microphone; (3) converting said audio band signal into a digital signal; (4) in said analysis filterbank, separating said digital signal into a plurality of separate frequency band signals each being representative of a specific frequency band; (5) providing said frequency band signals to said digital signal processor; (6) determining whether said separate frequency band signals have programming information encoded therein according to said encoding scheme; and (7) if programming information is encoded in said frequency band signals according to said encoding scheme, decoding said frequency band signals to obtain said programming information and storing said programming information in said non-volatile memory.