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What is a Hearing Aid?

• History
• Health Benefits
• Who can be helped?
• What can I expect?

What Is a Hearing Aid?

A hearing aid is an electronic, battery-operated device that amplifies and shapes sound to allow for improved communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then converts the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the loudness of the signals and then sends the sound to the ear through a receiver. No matter what the size, style, or manufacturer, all hearing aids have the same basic components.

History

The earliest hearing aid was the ear trumpet, which is characterized by a large mouth at one end for collecting the sound energy from a large area and a gradually tapering tube to a narrow orifice for insertion in the ear.

Modern hearing aids are electronic, but early models were quite large and body worn. In the 1950s, transistors replaced amplifier tubes and smaller magnetic microphones became available. It was then possible to build smaller hearing aids, some of which were constructed to fit within the frames of eyeglasses. Also, they started building behind-the- ear and within the ear (custom) hearing aids. Today, with the advances in electronics and digital technologies, very small hearing aids are available.

Health Benefits From Hearing Aids

Hearing aid users report higher levels of involvement in social activities, fewer worries and more positive social and family experiences than those who have uncorrected hearing loss.
Research has shown that 35% of hearing aid users word recognition was better with a hearing aid than without. Hearing aids will not make your hearing perfect, but you will hear better than without your hearing aid.

Who Can Be Helped?

Today, over 95% of patients with hearing loss can successfully wear hearing aids. Patients with a sensory or neural (inner ear) hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing aids in most cases. One is never too old to start using hearing aids. The Audiologist may recommend an additional assistive listening device to improve specific situations.

What Can I Expect From My Hearing Aids?

Using hearing aids successfully takes time and patience. Hearing aids will not restore normal hearing or eliminate background noise. Adjusting to a hearing aid is a gradual process that involves learning to listen in a variety of environments and becoming accustomed to hearing different sounds. Try to become familiar with your hearing aids under non-stressful circumstances a few hours at a time.

Understand the role of hearing aids. Just as eyeglasses do not "cure" vision deficiencies, hearing aids do not solve all hearing problems. But hearing aids can provide an important difference in your life and the lives of your family members. (More on Problems to Expect while adjusting to your hearing aid)

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