Hearing Aids

Copyright (c) 2010 Jamie Lyons

Historically hearing aids were cumbersome yet fiddly pieces of equipment which had to be persistently tweaked and adjusted in order to be of any benefit to the user. From memories of older generations struggling with the inadequate auditory devices through to comic sketches and scenes of the ilk of Fawlty Towers, the hearing aid has been a long maligned and ridiculed device due to its multitudinous shortcomings and unsightly appearance. This negative image extends to the modern day, with the American National Institute of Health claiming that only 1 in 5 of individuals who require an auditory assistance device actually use one. This fact leads those involved in the industry to the conclusion that the majority of the public are not aware just how much hearing aid technology has advanced over the past decade.

Traditional auditory aids operated with analogue technology, which simply served to amplify sound and in doing so, hopefully aid the wearer in picking up all sound. The controls were limited to minor tweaks in frequency or volume. As such, in noisy environments the hearing aid was essentially useless, as it would generally increase the volume of the background noise in proportion to the volume increase in the sound source the wearer was hoping to hear. Equally, the extent to which a hearing aid could be attuned to boost or cut out specific frequencies was very limited.

In the present day, digital hearing aids are considerably more prominent. Digital units are literally worlds apart from the analogue behemoths of the past. Coming in various shapes and sizes, ranging from behind the ear models which feature Bluetooth connectivity with mobile phones to virtually invisible in the ear models which are fully contained within the auditory canal and consequently, incredibly discreet: the aesthetic aspect of hearing aids has changed drastically. This major reduction in size is a mere bonus however; the real progress lies in the effectiveness of digital aids in comparison to analogue hearing aids.

Digital hearing aids utilise incredibly sophisticated microchips which can be programmed to perfectly compensate for a specific individuals hearing deficiency. By running a series of cutting edge tests, an experienced audiologist is able to diagnose which frequencies an individual has trouble hearing, and using a computer, instruct the hearing aid to compensate for the hearing loss in these frequency ranges. By programming the hearing aid in such a meticulous and personalised manner, the device becomes an invaluable means of improving the overall hearing experience rather than an unsightly amplifier and troublesome burden.

Is it possible to regain hearing without a hearing aid?

I am not deaf by any means but I’m just curious. Let’s say I was to listen to loud music every day and I started to lose my hearing. Would it be possible to regain some or most of it back without the aid of a hearing aid?

Answer
Depends on the hearing loss.

The little hairs in your ears vibrate and transmit the sound through the three bones of the ear, and into your brain. Excessive vibration can destroy them, and no they dont grow back.

Hearing aids amplify the sound into the canal, making it easier for partially damaged parts to pick up the vibrations.

If you become deaf due to an internal ‘defect’, then generally you will not get any better. These people usually have cochlear implants, but still will not hear very well.

When you get sick and get fluid in your ears, this can return to normal healing as long as the infection is treated and no damage is done to the bones of the ear.