A hearing aid is a type of very sophisticated communication device. These medical devices come in many different forms, due to the fact that there are also various kinds of hearing loss conditions. However, while there may be many kinds of hearing aids, they all share similar basic components. All of these medical hearing devices are designed to amplify sounds in order to help enhance certain hearing range problems. In addition, the design of these devices varies, but the overall result is to aid and empower people suffering from hearing loss live their lives to the fullest.
More Information about Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are electronically powered by batteries. Most of these sophisticated communication devices are comprised of three parts: 1) an amplifier, 2) a microphone, and 3) a receiver. The technology behind these very helpful devices is continuously being improved and developed in order to become more effective and helpful for those suffering from a wide range of hearing loss problems. Many of today’s hearing aids are also incorporated with various features that were not available with the ones issued many years ago.
Some of these features include but are not limited to the following:
- Amplification of extremely soft sounds to make the more audible
- Protection for the ears against sudden and very loud noises or sounds
- Sound classifiers designed to adjust the device’s characteristics depending on the sounds around the person wearing it
- Wirelessly communicate via a mobile phone with the hearing aid amplifying the sound to suit the patient’s listening requirements
How Hearing Aids Work
Thanks to the technology that powers today’s modern hearing aids, patients experiencing hearing loss problems can live easier. So how do these medical communication devices help people with these kinds of medical conditions? Here is how:
- The microphone part of the device picks up the sounds.
- The processing chip embedded into the device will analyses the sounds.
- The amplifier receives the sounds processed by the processing chip.
- The amplifier amplifies the sounds and sends them to the device’s loudspeaker.
- The loudspeaker transmits the sounds into the inner ear. These sounds are then transformed into what we call “electrical impulses”.
- Finally, the brain picks up these impulses and processes them.
Hearing Aid Specifications Depending on the Patient’s Requirements
When choosing a hearing aid, there are certain specifications that need to be met depending on the patient’s requirements. Hearing aid consultants help patients determine what specific type of hearing aid is best for them. These include determining the level or severity of the hearing loss problem and offering the most appropriate solution for it.
Since lifestyle preferences are also taken into consideration when selecting a hearing aid, these devices are manufactured in several different designs or styles. These include the following:
- CIC (Completely in the Canal) Hearing Aids
- ITE (In the Ear) Hearing Aids
- BTE (Behind the Ear) Hearing Aids
- RITE (Receiver in the Ear) Hearing Aids
